Shiraz the Hero of Barossa Valley Wines

Barossa Valley is probably the most well-known region of Australia. Wine is the synonym of Barossa since 1842. The Barossa is an area that unites both Barossa Valley and Eden Valley, and without any doubts we can say that is one of the few Australian areas that distinguish with warm and cool climate growing conditions.

Nowadays, the Barossa area has more than 750 growing families that supply quality grapes to more than 170 wine companies. And when it comes to wines, wine experts say that the best Barossa wines can be compared with the best world wines. Barossa Shiraz and the Eden Valley Riesling are among the most popular Barossa Valley wines along with Cabernet Sauvignon, Viognier, Grenache, Mataro, Semillon and Tawny. But there is no doubt that Shiraz and its blends are the principal ingredients of Barossa's regional brand. It is a genuine wine region specifically for Shiraz. It seems to have abundant sunshine and because of the soil the flavours are extremely concentrated with a lot of characteristics that make the Shiraz the Australia's famous. Particularly, the full-bodied style is the thing that everybody loves.

Recently Shiraz can be divided into two categories: a low-yielded, dry and heavily winery-worked style, with oak, ripeness and tannin; and a finer, medium-bodied style, with low ripeness, new oak. The latter is also more fragrant and floral in composition. Nowadays, both of these styles can be found in the Barossa with its stylistic parameters. Whichever style you choose is up to you, but one thing is certain this is a must-try wine as it is the Country’s signature expression.

Shiraz's Modern Evolution

In 1970 and 1980 the most dominant Shiraz blend was the Shiraz-Cabernet blend or also referred as “claret”. In 1990, Shiraz found its way with the Rhone-style blends along with Mataro and Grenache, while in the beginning of the 2000's, the most popular Shiraz blend was Shiraz – Viognier because of the heady, aromatic lift of the white grape.

Nowadays, we can see Shiraz matched with more adventurous grapes like Malbec, Tempranillo, Sangiovese, Touriga and more.

Wine Styles

Barossa Valley is renowned for its Shiraz, but the Barossa is much more than Shiraz. Cabernet Sauvignon, Mataro or also known as Mourvedre, Merlot and Grenache are among the most popular Barossa Valley wines. As to the wine styles, the Barossa Valley is recognized by its GSM Rhone style blends. These years, Barossa winemakers have introduced some new varieties like Marsanne, Zinfandel and Tempranillo, but the Viognier has become the Barossa's specialty, both as a stand-alone variety and blended with Shiraz.

Introducing Shiraz Wine

Every wine-enthusiastic who appreciates red wine loves Shiraz. But what makes the Shiraz grape itself so popular? Well, we can say that part of the grape's success is due to the taste it creates, it's history and its large usage in wine mixes. That's is not to mention the amazing deal that local Australian Shiraz makes.

Originally from France, the Shiraz grape variation planted in Australia is believed to be the same planted in there, which explains the supremacy of Australian Shiraz wines in the market. Shiraz was introduced in Australia in 1831 by the Scotsman James Busby, commonly called 'the Father of Australian viticulture'. He brought cuttings from wines from a trip to Europe and planted them in the Sydney Botanical Gardens and in Hunter Valley. By the 1860's, Shiraz was considered as an important variety in Australia.

Today the Shiraz grape is grown in most wine regions in Australia and produce a wine that is full bodied, with great taste variation – depending on the region it was grown. But Shiraz wines commonly have undertones of plums, blackberries and pepper fluctuating between their many layers.