Shiraz - Australia, the Final Frontier

Wine Appraiser

Tonight, our blind-tasting duo explore uncharted wine, at least for the show. Shiraz is the most planted and #1 grape from Australia. Shiraz is the same grape and wine as Syrah, but for some reason, Australia and South Africa call it Shiraz. It is a big, bold, full-body wine with high levels of tannin and acid. Because of the tannins, it is normally oaked and is a great pair with red meats.

In France, Syrah is a single variety wine from the northern Rhone Valley, and is popular in the southern Rhone where it is part of the GSM blend wines. GSM stands for Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre.

Syrah is also a popular grape grown in the US, mostly in the State of Washington and California.

Some of the most popular Shiraz regions of Australia include Barossa Valley, Eden Valley, Clare Valley, Heathcote, Hunter Valley, McLaren Vale, Yarra Valley, Grampians, and Adelaide Hills.

While Syrah and Shiraz wines will have many similarities, they will also have some differences. Syrah wines from France, Chile and Washington (State) are more of a cooler climate wine. Australian Shiraz and California, Spain, Italy, and Argentina Syrah are warm-weather wines. Syrah from cooler climates will be lighter in body, with more earthiness and floral notes. Warm weather Syrah/Shiraz will be fruit forward full-body higher alcohol wines.

Tonight, we taste:

1. 2021 Yalumba Barossa Shiraz. I purchased this wine at Wall to Wall Wine for $19.99. It comes from the Barossa Valley, Australia. It is plump and fruity, with lucid aromas of black cherry, plum, mint and ground pepper. A full body gentle frame of spicy tannins frames everything, and a nice level of acidity helps wash it all down. Winery is Vegan and started in 1849.
2. 2019 Greg Norman, Limestone Coast Shiraz, $15.50 at Wall to Wall Wine. This wine comes from Coonawarra, McClaren Flat, Argentina. Nose: Bright aromas of ripe black and blue fruits, spice notes. Palate: Medium to full-bodied. Cola, black cherry, mixed berry jam and cloves. Other notes: plum and cherry. Peppercorn, mint, oak. Firm structure and balanced acidity. Area is known for having poor well draining soils.
3. 2022 Yellow Tail Shiraz purchased at Walmart for $5.99. Rich and smooth, with juicy red berries and hints of vanilla and spice. Hints of mocha. Bold and smooth. South Eastern Australia includes all of Victoria and parts of South Australia and New South Wales.

Next week The wines we will taste include:

1. 2022 Bourgonge – Maconaise – Macon Villages. This is a Burgundy white made from the Chardonnay grape. Purchased from Costco for $12.79.
2. 2022 Porta 6 Red from Lisbon Region of Portugal. Purchased at Trader Joes for $4.99.
3. 2022 Ruggero Di Bardo from Puglia, Italy. Purchased at Trader Joes for $9.99.