Australia is probably best known for one wine – Shiraz. It’s the variety that put this continent on the map, as far as winemaking goes.
Judges at Paris Exhibition of 1878 compared a Shiraz from Victoria to the famous Chateau Margaux, stating that the taste of this wine was perfect. This was the first time a wine produced on the Australian continent had received recognition on this kind of level. A few years later, an Australian Shiraz won the first class category gold medal at the 1882 Bordeaux International Exhibition. 1889′s Paris International Exhibition won the wine another gold.
By 2005, the most planted grapes in Australia were Chardonnay and Shiraz. Generally, Shiraz leads significantly, though in recent years, Chardonnay plantings have somewhat outstripped it. Shiraz remains the traditional favorite of Australia, however.
Shiraz is probably the most popular of Australia’s red wines, making up about two thirds of the total red wine grape plantings in 2005. There are other varieties planted, as well, but none even come close to matching the volume of Shiraz grapes produced.
This wine isn’t popular only in Australia, either. Californian and South African wines make extensive use of it, as do wines from Cote-Rotie and Hermitage in France’s northern Rhone valley.
Some confusion may be caused by the fact that Shiraz is not the only name for this wine. It is also sometimes referred to as Syrah, after the Iranian city of flowers and poetry where it is thought to have originated, or Hermitage, the name it went by in the late 1980s in Australia.
Most Australian wine producers do not make a pure Shiraz, instead adding up to four percent Viognier to produce a hint of flavor similar to apricots. Because of the small amount used, it has historically been uncommon to mention this grape, but the trend is changing. Most wine producers are now labeling their products as Shiraz Viognier.
The majority of the best Shiraz wines in Australia are aged in cellars for a decade or longer. There are lots of variations available, as well, including sparkling dry and ordinary sparkling Shiraz varieties, and a Shiraz based type of rose wine.
The greatest advantage of this wine is the ease of growing the grapes and the rich and distinct flavors the wine has to offer – reminiscent of the flavors of dark fruits. If you’re a red wine drinker, but Cabernet Sauvignon is a little astringent for you, you’ll enjoy Shiraz’s deep, distinctive taste and peppery aroma.
Choose hearty meals with a lot of spice and flavor to accompany a Shiraz. It also blends well with varieties such as Mourvedre, Cabernet and Granache.
