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Subject: Australian Wine Primer - pt 1 Shiraz

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Gavin Trott User is Offline

Grape Stomper
Posts:112

12/22/2002 3:41 AM
Hello Over the years I've written numerous, hopefully concise, articles about Australian wine styles and regions. I thought I'd post one here for those interested. I can post more if people find them interesting (or not if people don't :-)) Shiraz This is Australia’s highest profile wine style, and arguably its best red wine. The grape is believed to have come to Australia first from its home, Hermitage in the Rhone area of France many years ago. Some believe, again arguably, that due to extensive re-planting in France due to Phylloxera, our older vineyards are more like Hermitage used to be than that region is today. Some vineyards of Chateau Tahbilk for instance date back over 100 years unchanged (and small amounts of wine are still made from these old grapes.) What is not in doubt however is that Shiraz is the best and best known red wine of Australia. It is the most widely grown red grape variety, grown in almost all regions, and makes the most recognised Australian wines in the world market such as Grange and Henschke Hill of Grace amongst others. In addition it is used in blends with many other grapes, as well as being used extensively in the Fortified wines of Australia, most notably our Vintage Port styles. Through all of this and in almost every climate, Shiraz makes quality wine. It rarely needs or receives the same volume of new oak as Cabernet, can be delicious and fruity when young, but can mellow with up to 20 or 30 years in the cellar into magnificent wine showing earthy, velvety, almost sweet fruit characters. The aromas and flavours of Shiraz vary with wine style and region, but are usually blackberry, plums, and pepper in varying degrees dependent on growing conditions. In addition, even more regionally based, we can find liquorice, tar even, and bitter chocolate and mocha. Climate affects these, with the warmer climates providing the plums and chocolate (Barossa) and the cooler climates giving more of the pepper (Victoria). Below is a list of some of the Australian regions producing quality Shiraz wines, plus some labels to watch out for from those regions. Naturally there will be many that I have missed, and this is not meant to be a definitive list, but if you try these wines you will find quality, and discover some of those flavours for yourself. Cool Climate Victoria Mt Langi Ghiran Seppelt Great Western Bests Great Western Western Australia Cape Mentelle Vasse Felix Warm Climate Barossa Valley Rockfords Basket Press St Hallett Old Block Charles Melton Elderton Henschke Grange McLaren Vale Eileen Hardy Coriole Seaview Woodstock Clare Leasingham Bin 61 and Classic Clare Wendouree Tim Adams Jim Barry the Armagh Mitchell Pepper Tree Coonawarra Wynns Bowen Estate Zema Estate Leconfield Hunter Valley Brokenwood Graveyard Tyrrells Rothbury Estates with apologies to other regions and producers.

Bradley Molzen User is Offline

Bayonne, NJ

Wine Lover
Posts:4974

12/20/2002 5:37 AM
G_T, Very nice post! I for one would encourage more of this type of post. Perhaps even a series to follow. The series could then be archived (shortly an archival section of the forums will be put into place) for all future comers to our forums. In any event, I certainly recognize many of the names you've listed, but definitely haven't tried all of them. I've even purchased some and haven't tried yet also, waiting for them to come of age. Since I know you are a retailer, I beg you answer this question. If you were to put a case of Shiraz together that you think best represents what Australia has to offer, what would be in that case? Let's suggest a top limit in price of say (pulls a number out of the magic hat) $500 for the case? (Unless you feel it warrants more, or can be done for less) I'd like the case to range from Top Quality, to great QPR. Give a little bit of everything. Up to the challenge?

If you drink wine, you get smarter....

stemor

Collierville, TN

Wine Thief
Posts:2813

12/20/2002 6:00 AM
Rev, I assume you are asking our esteemed Australian retailer to think in $US Retail prices?

Cheers, y'all

Pool Boy

Laurl, MD (DC suburb)

Master of Wine
Posts:13672

12/20/2002 3:13 PM
Great poost and the perfect spot for it. Thanks! I like Aussie dollars. They're cute.

www.roguefood.com -- www.cellartracker.com

Eric White User is Offline

San Ramon, CA

Advanced Sommelier
Posts:9146

12/20/2002 4:15 PM
Thank you Gavin! Posts such as this are the reason I love this board

love_cab_chard User is Offline

Master of Wine
Posts:12385

12/20/2002 4:56 PM
Exactomundo. As soon as these Holidays pass by. Not soon enough (considering all the expenses that go along with these Holidays). My Wine-budget opens up again & I am BACK. Will be looking/searching @ Wines such as these.

Gavin Trott User is Offline

Grape Stomper
Posts:112

12/21/2002 3:15 AM
Since I know you are a retailer, I beg you answer this question. If you were to put a case of Shiraz together that you think best represents what Australia has to offer, what would be in that case? Let's suggest a top limit in price of say (pulls a number out of the magic hat) $500 for the case? (Unless you feel it warrants more, or can be done for less) Nice question. I actually did this recently (retailer's hat on) for a customer in Japan. Case 1 Australia's finest, cost no factor Case 2 - the next tier down Great fun. To your question, 1 case only, it must contain Australian Shiraz from more than one region, hence more than one style Liqueur Muscat and or Tokay - world class sweet wines Riesling Sparkling Shiraz - well just because I love it so. Chardonnay Cool climate Cabernet Aged Hunter Semillon It would not contain Sav Blanc cause we don't do it that well Sparkling Wines - as above, we're getting better but give me Champagne Merlot because, well, few do it that well Pinot cause we don't do it well enough Here goes (prices in those cute Australian $, about half for $US) all can currently be purchased, not a historical best of 2002 Grosset Polish Hill Riesling $36 2002 Petaluma Riesling $23 1996 McWilliams Lovedale Semillon $45 1999 Leeuwin Art Series Chardonnay $75 Rockfords Black Shiraz $90 1999 Charles Melton Nine Popes (CdP blend) $45 1990 Grange $650 2000 Craiglee Shiraz $45 1998 Saltrams #1 Shiraz $55 2000 Parker Estate First Growth Cabernet $90 1999 Moss Wood Cabernet $75 Chambers Rare Muscat $150 Swoon! Others may argue, but this case would be one fine party starter!

Pool Boy

Laurl, MD (DC suburb)

Master of Wine
Posts:13672

12/21/2002 5:55 PM
Eventually, when storage space becomes an issue on this board (will it, Rev?), we should consider placing posts like this thread, into the recently created Archive. Don't'cha'think?

www.roguefood.com -- www.cellartracker.com

Winetex

Austin, Texas

Master of Wine
Posts:10612

12/21/2002 7:11 PM
Gavin - this is terrific info. Thanks for posting. I just wish I could find some of these wines around here. Same whine, different day....

Bradley Molzen User is Offline

Bayonne, NJ

Wine Lover
Posts:4974

12/21/2002 11:31 PM
Off topic, but no plans to remove threads yet. I have 80Gb of storage available, with hardly anything being taken up yet. Text is so highly compressible it's ridiculous.

If you drink wine, you get smarter....

Gavin Trott User is Offline

Grape Stomper
Posts:112

12/22/2002 3:41 AM
At the risk of speaking too much as a retailer >>I just wish I could find some of these wines around here. Same whine, different day.... >> Most are avaialble if you know where (or to who) to ask.

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