Powerful, Prestigious Barossa Valley Shiraz

When we think about the continent of Australia, what comes to mind? Putting shrimp on the barbie? Kangaroos and koalas? The Mad Max film series? Crikey! Now, promise to also consider an array of stellar wines that are produced in this unique country. The World Wide Travel (#WWT) group of wine writers who are taking a deep dive into the wines of Australia this year are focusing on Shiraz from South Australia this month. (Enjoy their articles linked at the end of this piece.)

 

 

But first. What’s the difference between Shiraz and Syrah? Short answer: it’s all about the style. Both Shiraz and Syrah are produced from the same grape, but cultivated in different regions. Shiraz is mostly grown in Australia and those that aren’t are Syrah. In Australia, Shiraz offers an intensely ripe characteristics with hints of chocolate and spice. Grown in Southern Australia, Shiraz has pepper, juicy plum and blackberry notes and when aged, exudes leathery, meaty flavors. In fact, many feel that Shiraz has more capability to age than Syrah that’s native to the Rhone Valley in France.

Shiraz was brought to Australia from France in 1832. It’s the most planted variety in the country and the sixth most planted grape in the world. You can imagine how difficult it was to choose a Shiraz upon which to focus, but I found an incredible wine, Two Hands 2011 Bella’s Garden Barossa Valley Shiraz (around $60 and sent as a sample). Packed with dark fruit and spice, the wine is from one of Australia’s oldest and most prestigious regions, the Barossa Valley.

Boasting a Mediterranean climate with vineyards on the valley floor and cooler vineyards on rolling hills, it’s no wonder that grapes thrive in the Barossa Valley. Its unique climate with cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers helps produce an array of wines from delicate whites to powerful reds. Red clay and loamy soils are rich and deep and more than 150 wineries have taken advantage of this stunning region located about an hour from Adelaide. Shiraz from Barossa Valley is classic and bold with broad, intense flavors of plums, cherries, blackberries and black currants.

Two Hands, from the Barossa Valley, specializes in red wines of Shiraz. Founded in 1999 by Michael Twelftree and Richard Mintz as a negociant-style business, the company produces many wines from several regions. Their mission is to display the diversity of Australian Shiraz by “sourcing grapes from multiple regions and producing wines that highlight the regional characteristics.”

Australian Shiraz has the uncanny ability to age and Two Hands 2011 Bella’s Garden Barossa Valley Shiraz proves it. From their “finest barrels of Barossa Valley Shiraz,” this wine was exceptional. Mostly of Shiraz from the region’s western ranges with its vineyards on red and brown soil, this wine’s texture, complexity and power were pervasive with each sip.

Intense aromas of lush red fruit, raspberries, spiced cherries and cedar led to a palate profile highlighting notes of juicy red fruit, chocolate, subtle oak and baking spices snugly wrapped in moderate tannic structure (thanks to 10+ years of ageing) and vibrant acidity. The lingering finish was glorious. (Of note: The wine is named after Richard’s daughter Bella, born on July 28, 2002.)

Go bold or go home! Shiraz from the Barossa Valley pairs beautifully with red meats, cured meats, sausages, shish kebobs, roasted vegetables, smoky barbecued meats, casseroles, stews and aged cheeses. It’s no wonder then, that Two Hands 2011 Bella’s Garden Barossa Valley Shiraz was a brilliant complement to our dinner of braised beef short rib with creamy polenta and roasted baby carrots.

Cheers! ~ Cindy

Enjoy the following articles from my World Wine Travel colleagues.

• Allison on AdVINEtures pours “The Great Australian Red Wine: Cabernet-Shiraz”
• Camilla goes “Beyond Shiraz in South Australia with Dagwood Dogs, Rissoles, and a Limestone Coast Cabernet Sauvignon” on Culinary Adventures with Camilla
• Jeff brings “Riverland Surprises in South Australia” on Food Wine Click!
• Linda offers “Barossa Shiraz from ‘All the Land Around’ on My Full Wine Glass
• Nicole will be “Splurging with Penfold’s Bin 389 and Oxtail Stew” on Somm’s Table
• Robin suggests “South Australia – Cabernet from Coonawarra & Fortified Shiraz from McClaren Vale” on Crushed Grape Chronicles
• Susannah shares “Barossa Valley Memories” on Avvinare
• Terri has “Penfold’s Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet and Busy Day Soup” on Our Good Life
• Wendy is “Visiting South Australia; Home to one of Australia’s Oldest Wineries” on A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Gwendolyn on Wine Predator, we have “Celebrate Family Fun with Eight at the Gate: 2 Shiraz with Pie Floaters #WorldWineTravel “