The most prolific wine varieties grown in Australia are as follows: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Grenache, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Shiraz, .
Displays all listings for Shiraz Shiraz is Australia's most important and widely planted grape variety. The variety was introduced to Australia in the early 1830's by James Busby who is regarded as "the father of Australian viticulture". Although the exact origins of Shiraz are somewhat unclear, it is known that the variety has long been grown in the Rhone region of southeastern France. Today Shiraz, or Syrah as it is known in France, continues to be the dominant variety of Northern Rhône and is associate with classic wines such as Hermitage, Côte-Rôtie and Cornas. In the Southern Rhône it is used as blending grape in wines such as Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas and Côtes du Rhône where Grenache usually makes up the bulk of the blend. It is unquestionable that the Barossa Valley of South Australia is the home of Australian Shiraz and continues to be one of our most important regions. The full bodied and often high alcohol examples from the Barossa have been embraced both home and abroad and have been one of the driving factors behind bringing Australian wine to the international stage. Barossa Shiraz is generally rich with plummy, chocolate flavours with immense structure, texture and supple tannins. In recent years cool climate regions particularly Heathcote of Central Victoria have gained further recognition for their quality Shiraz. These cool climate Shiraz tend be bright purple colour, be less alcoholic, more elegant and arguably more complex than their Barossa counterparts. |
