The great-grandchild of Pinot Noir, Shiraz is a dark-skinned grape that produces some notably striking red wines with a wide ranging flavors of pepper, game, blackberry, spices, chocolate, and more. Also known as Syrah, some of the most exhilarating varietal examples of this wine are made in its native region of France’s northern Rhone Valley. To this day, it is the region’s primary grape and produces classic wines including Hermitage, Cornas, and Côte-Rôtie. Although Syrah or Shiraz are two names for the same grape, which name you see on the label generally indicates what style the winemaker intended to exemplify. Syrah is the classic interpretation of a powerful, complex wine with high tannin levels, whereas Shiraz is more likely to follow the New World translation, which is less assertively tannic and has more fruity, almost jammy flavors.

Syrah was first brought to Australia by British immigrant and viticulturist James Busby. After living in Australia for several years, he traveled to Spain and France to continue his studies and brought back vine clippings when he returned. Here is where the grape was first given the name Shiraz and remains the leading grape in the country. Australian Shiraz tends to be less gamey than its Syrah predecessors, and is known to have spirited flavors and aromas of berry and an almost syrupy mouthfeel.

Our Australia Shiraz is decadently full-bodied, displaying deep flavors and aromas of black currant and dark chocolate with a distinct meaty element. A moderate oak presence plays well with the wine’s strong, assertive qualities. A dry red wine with a prominent alcohol level of 13.5% by volume. Includes medium toast American oak chips. Medium toast oak is the most popular toast level used in red wines as it imparts a complex balance of vanillin and spice along with a nice mouthfeel.

The VineCo Estate Shiraz is a wine lover’s red wine. Not to be poured as an afterthought or used as an alcoholic sidekick to a random activity. Relax with a glass and allow this beverage to be the main attraction. Each sip will command your attention as energetic flavors explode across your palate. If enjoyed with food, be sure to choose fare that can stand up to this dominating varietal. Intensely flavorful barbecued meats or spicy latin dishes are great pairing options.

Shiraz, Australia

• Black currant, dark chocolate, meaty
• Sweetness: Dry
• Oak: Medium
• Body: Full
• ABV: 13.5%
• Kit Volume: 10 L
• Approximate Yield: 23 L
• Ready to bottle in 6 weeks
• Bottle Labels sold separately