Previously, exporters were required to submit samples to Wine Australia for both chemical analysis and tasting, with qualitative approval by the Export Approval Panel required to export any particular wine.

Whilst the chemical analysis requirement remains, Wine Australia has moved to a system of permanent company audits, with auditors visiting wineries to inspect records, examine labels and collect samples of exported wines.

You can read Decanter’s coverage of the change at http://www.decanter.com/news/wine-news/529696/wine-australia-axes-wine-export-panel; or view Wine Australia’s press release for further detail here.