Local wines now seen as world class

While growers across Australia uproot vines in the face of a wine glut, local producers cannot plant them fast enough.

And wine critic James Halliday gave the local industry a further boost, selecting eight reds and six whites from the Canberra region for his NSW Top 100.

Canberra district shiraz was the strongest performing red varietal, while riesling and sauvignon blanc fared best among the whites.

Clonakilla winemaker Tim Kirk said it was time for Canberra wines to be considered in the world's best.

''The Canberra district is coming of age now and there is growing recognition nationally and internationally that it is really one of Australia's great wine regions. In a particular way, Canberra shiraz is increasingly seen as world class''

Lerida Estate owners Jim Lumbers and Anne Caine were thrilled their 2007 Lake George Shiraz Viognier made the list with 95 points. Mr Lumbers said he was looking to expand production from 4000 to 10,000 cases.

''We're trying to source fruit more widely because we can't meet demand, and we're certainly not alone,'' he said. ''We may go beyond [10,000]. The most important thing is that we preserve our regional integrity and character.''