Australian wine has no native grapes, and "Vitis vinifera" varieties were introduced from Europe and South Africa in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Some varieties have been bred by Australian viticulturists, for example Cienna and Tarrango. Although Syrah was originally called Shiraz in Australia and Syrah elsewhere, its dramatic commercial success has led many Syrah producers around the world to label their wine "Shiraz". About 130 different grape varieties are used by commercial winemakers in Australia. Over recent years many winemakers have begun exploring so called "alternative varieties" other than those listed above. Many varieties from France, Italy and Spain
Vega (grape) Vega (grape) Vega (also known as Incrocio Dalmasso 2/26) is a white Italian wine grape variety that was created in 1937 by grape breeder Giovanni Dalmasso by crossing the Hungarian wine grape Furmint with the Croatian wine grape Malvazija Istarska. Developed at the Istituto Sperimentale per la Viticoltura of Conegliano in the Veneto wine region of northeast Italy, the grape has slowly spread since its release. As of 2000, there were of Vega planted throughout Italy. Unlike its parent varieties Furmint, which is often used in the production of late-harvest wines, and Malvazija Istarska, Vega is an early ripening grapevine