Being a wine lover I really like a analyze the wine I am drinking. Call me a wine snob if you will. I would take that as a compliment since I am not that good at analyzing the different aromas, tastes and finishes of the different wines. It's fun to try and I love learning new things. So this month I decided to research about the Shiraz varietal and here is what I learned:
Shiraz is a dark-skinned hearty, spicy red wine that has a smooth and supple texture with smooth tannins. It is a Syrah grape that is grown in Australia. Meaning that Shiraz and Syrah are genetically identical but being from different areas are stylistically different. In Australia Shiraz is most notably grown in the Barossa valley where you have the renowned penfolds grange.
Shiraz = Syrahy
Appearance:
Ruby red - inky purple
Full bodied
Flavor's:
Bright fruit flavor characteristically: blueberries, black currants, black cherries.
other possible flavor's: raspberry, boysenberry, blackberry, plum, prune, raisin,
Fig, leather, mushroom, cinnamon, clove, allspice,
Pepper.
Secondary notes: milk or dark chocolate
Often: pepper and spicy inflections
It's the secondary characteristics that led to the full bodied texture of the wine.
In the 1990's and the early 2000's Shiraz was characterized by there super ripe taste. This was criticized as being rich and bold by some and lacking subtlety by other critics. Between 2000 and 2001 the complexity of the grape started to gain ground toward the more elegant spicy styles of the Syrah in northern Rhone.
Some good blends are also popular with this varietal. Shiraz and also Syrah are often blended with Grenache and Mourvèdre to make a meritage called GSM.
Shiraz => dark chocolate and cassis
Grenache => plummy richness
Mourvèdre => earthy, game tasting strength
The three combined offer a rich, opulent (wealthy, richly abundant) style often better than if each was drank by themselves. It's always better to drink with friends. 😺
A unique blend: Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon represents a good size portion of Australian red blends.
Another major blend: Shiraz and Viognier which has a taste similar to wines of Cote Rotie. These wines can get a pretty penny in some cases.
The term Shiraz has become so popular that some countries where it should be lableled Syrah, label it Shiraz instead.
Some points of note:
Popular Blends: Shiraz-Viognier
Cabernet Sauvignon-Shiraz
GSM
Synonyms: Syrah, Hermitage, Scyras
Related grape varieties: Durif/Petit Sirah
Food and Wine Match: Beef Wellington, Steaks, Barbeque, Spiced Venison,
Grilled veal chops with sage, Malay Lamb
Lentil soup with smoked ham hock
Peruvian stuffed pepper, mushroom and eggplant FILO
And whatever Gruyere is... Found out that it is a type of cheese. Thanks dad.
To good wine by an autumn fire.
-Barton-
Resources:
www.wine-searcher.com/grape-1112-shiraz
http://www.wineinfo.com/wine_varietals.php?varID=22
