Sparkling Shiraz (Australia)
Sparkling Shiraz was created in 1881 in Victoria, Australia by the Victorian Champagne Company and was originally called "Sparkling Burgundy".
Typical Flavors
 Black Cherry |
 Blackberry |
 Olive |
 Plum |
 Jam |
 Pepper |
 Clove |
 Licorice |
Oak Added Flavors:
 Vanilla |
 Coffee |
 Chocolate |
 Tobacco |
Dark Berries, Blackberry, Black Olive, Plum, and Jam are typical warm climate Syrah flavors.
With hints of Spices, Clove, Black Pepper, Eucalyptus, and Licorice.
Cool Climate vs Warm Climate
Cool Cimate
Cool climate Syrah has light fruit flavors:
Raspberry. Blueberry. Black Cherry. Green Olive. Spices. White Pepper. Mint. Minerals.
Regions: France. Italy. Germany. USA (Sonoma Coast).
Warm Cimate
Warm climate Syrah has darker flavors:
Darker Berries, Plum, and Jam. Black Pepper rather than White Pepper. Black Olive rather than Green Olive. Licorice rather than Mint.
Regions: Australia. USA (California). South Africa.
Profile
Warm climate Syrah are full bodied:
| BODY | Full | ||
| TANNINS | High | ||
| FRUIT | Medium | ||
| ACIDITY | Medium - High | ||
| |||
Food Pairing
 Mushroom |
 Hamburger |
 Ham |
 Casseroles |
 Pork |
 Lamb |
 Veal |
 Beef |
The massive taste of a full bodied Shiraz pairs best with bold food.
Shiraz loves Roasted Lamb and BBQ.
Pairing Suggestions
Excellent Pairing:
BBQ. Grilled. Roasts.
Roasted Potatoes and Onions.
Grilled Mushrooms (Portobello).
Grilled Veggetables.
Rich Casseroles. Beef Stew.
BBQ. Chicken. Pork. Rabbit. Game.
Roasted Lamb. Lamb Chops. Lamb Shank.
Hamburger. Cheese Burger. Bacon Burger.
Red Meat Dishes. Spareribs. Veal Chops.
Strip Steak. T-Bone. Kobe. Entrecôte.
Cheese:
Aged Cheese. Goat.
Cheddar. Gouda. Pecorino.
Blue Cheese. Camembert.
The Ideal Glass
The Bordeaux glass is perfect for a bodied red wine.
It is taller than other red wine glasses, and has a slimmer bowl.
The large size of the glass allows the bouquet to develop. It smooths out rough edges, plays down tannins, and allows the wines to achieve balance.
The slimmer bowl sends the wine directly to the back of the mouth for maximum taste.
Sparkling Shiraz in Australia
Most Australian Sparkling Shiraz is made with the Charmat Methode (fermented in tank) but you can find a better version: a Méthode Champenoise (Traditional Method) Sparkling Shiraz, bottle fermented on the lees with fine bubbles and a creamy palate.
To recognize the quality look for the higher price and the words "fermented in this bottle".
About Syrah / Shiraz
Legends claim that the Syrah grape originated in Shiraz, capital of the Persian Empire (modern-day Iran) or in Syracuse, Sicily. But there is no evidence.
The historical home of Syrah is the Rhône region of France.
The most famous Appellations are located in the Northern Rhône (Rotie, Hermitage, Cornas), where steep hillsides sometimes reach a gradient of 70°.
Introduced in Australia in 1831 by Scotsman James Busby, it is the most planted red grape variety there, and it is spelled different: Shiraz.
The best ones develop sweet, rich fruits, as well as aromas characterized by smoke, spices, leather and soil as they mature.