Wine Score
Shiraz Wine
Shiraz is the name given to the dark-skinned Syrah grape when grown in Australia and selected pockets of the New World. Though genetically identical, the stylistic differences between Shiraz and Syrah are usually pronounced.
Shiraz is so important to Australian viticulture that it is the most planted grape variety in the majority of Australian vineyards and has become virtually synonymous with the country’s wine regions, and in particular the Barossa Valley.
The term Shiraz has its roots in the New World, although there are several stories about how its name came about. Some attempt to explain why it shares its name with a city in Iran, however, the earliest Australian documents mentioning the grape refer to it as “Scyras”, and Shiraz is likely a corruption of that word rather than a homage to a southern Iranian provincial capital.
The prevailing style of Shiraz winemaking tends toward bright fruit flavors – most frequently blueberries, blackcurrants and black cherries. Secondary notes of chocolate lend themselves well to the full-bodied texture of these wines, often accented by pepper and spicy inflections.
Barossa Valley Wine
The Barossa Valley is an extremely important wine-producing region within the Barossa zone of South
Australia, particularly associated with powerful red wines from the red wine grape variety Shiraz. It is not only home to some of the oldest vineyards and wineries in Australia but produces some of its most recognizable and sought-after brands.
Grape varieties and style of Barossa wines
Although the region specializes in many different wines, those based on Shiraz have received the most acclaim locally and internationally. The best wines have a reputation for being rich and extremely full-bodied, with the ability to age for a significant time if cellared correctly. Another unmistakable feature of Barossa Valley Shiraz is the velvety and soft tannins attributed to the grapes’ phenolic ripeness.
Other prominent grape varieties of the region include Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Semillon, Riesling, Grenache and Mourvedre. Viognier is also well represented but mostly appears as a small
Grenache has also proved well-suited to the South Australian climate and wine-making style, particularly when combined with Shiraz and Mourvèdre (also called Mataro in Australia) to create the classic Australian GSM blend. Such diverse European varieties as Tempranillo, Nebbiolo, Montepulciano and Petit Verdot are also to be found in South Australian vineyards, but only in small quantities.
White grapes and wine styles
White wine plays something of a supporting role in South Australia. A notable exception is the world-class Riesling that has emerged from the Clare Valley in the past few decades. Almost inevitably, Chardonnay is grown widely here, and higher-quality wines are being made in cooler areas such as the Adelaide Hills and the best sites in the Limestone Coast region. Among the less common white-wine varieties are Semillon, Roussanne, Viognier and Verdelho.
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