THE MANY FACES OF AUSTRALIAN SHIRAZ
Nothing says Australian wine like Shiraz. The luscious fruit, chocolatey oak and powerful tannins of this warming, hug-in-a-glass wine has played a crucial role in cementing Australia’s global wine reputation.
But this full-bodied style, found mainly in warm South Australian regions like Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale and Langhorne Creek, is only one chapter of the Australian Shiraz story. Syrah, as it’s known in the rest of the world, is produced by an estimated four out of five Oz wineries, in nearly all its 65 distinct winemaking regions.
From spicy, medium-weight, cool-climate expressions to gluggable, Pinot-esque bottles, modern Aussie Shiraz comes in a multitude of shapes and sizes.
What’s in a Name?
Australia is home to the oldest producing pre-phylloxera Shiraz/Syrah vines on the planet, with some dating to the 1840s. The Barossa Valley in South Australia may today be synonymous with Shiraz,
