2018 Jim Barry The Armagh Shiraz

South Australia may not be the first place you would think of exceptional Riesling, but the northern upland Clare Valley region has made the remarkable feat of producing classic Riesling. Cool nights retain acidity so well that it is rare for a producer to have to sour - an acceptable practice often necessary in regions with warm climates where wine grapes do not reach the acidity level needed (to keep wine fresh) while in transit .

Clare Valley also produces wonderful Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon wines that are soft and fruity, with excellent acidity. The area's beautiful valleys offer a diverse soil profile, including limestone and slate, and the struggling vines make for punchy, mineral-driven wines. Relatively free from the presence of mass produce, Clare feels like an unspoilt paradise for the true connoisseur like the icons of Kilikanoon Wines and Jim Barry.

One of the best (yet not-so-well-known) wine grape growing regions in the world, the Clare Valley has three parallel valleys, each with a unique expression of distinctive terroir, varying in altitude, rainfall and soil structure. Despite covering a relatively small area, the valley's numerous subregions exhibit individual microclimates particularly favorable to Riesling, Shiraz, Cabernet and Grenache, while elevation changes of 300 to 600 m result in vastly different terroir.

Australia is a new wine country, compared to Europe, known for its innovative inspiring wine producers. About 60% of the wine produced and exported here has a wonderfully fruity and distinctive flavor. While most of Australia is too hot for good wine-growing land, most and largest wine regions can be found in the South of Australia. The warm climate in Australia does have an advantage, for example, the grapes used to produce wines can ripen well, resulting in a wonderfully soft and generous wine. Most grape varieties used here are the French grape varieties. For example, for a white wine the Chardonnay grape is very popular.

The winegrowers from Australia do not have to adhere to certain grape usage. They can choose which grapes they grow and with which techniques they do this. Therefore, the origin of the wine or the region where the wine is grown is not the most important, but in Australia, if you want to produce a good wine, it is important to pick the grapes on time.

The wines produced in Australia often come from the wine regions, Western Australia, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. About 25% of Australia's wine production is produced in New South Wales. This area has 16,000 hectares of wine, which is very little compared to the total 110,623 hectares of wine-growing land across Australia. Nevertheless, the first export wines come from this wine region and the first vine was placed in New South Wales. The main grape variety that is used to make a lot of red wine from Australia is the Shiraz. This wine with its own identity is characterized by the ripe fruit that is used for this. The main wine region in Australia is South Australia. About half of all wines come from Australia. In this area it is possible to produce many different types of wine, this is because there are many microclimates in South Australia. In the most productive wine region of Australia, Riverland, affordable wines are often produced that get a certain taste through the addition of wood chips and are sold very well. At grandcruwijnen.nl we have a number of very famous austrian wineries such as Penfolds, Moss Wood and Castagna Vineyard.

Red wine is made from blue grapes. The wines get their dark colour from the skin of the grape, which ferments with the grape juice. The intensity of the colour is determined by how long the juice has matured; a young red wine will have a somewhat purple colour, while older wines tend to be more orange or brown-red.

With around 10,000 varieties of grapes worldwide, you can go in all directions.

The most well-known blue grapes are Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Syrah / Shiraz.

Types of red wine

There are many different types of grapes with different characteristics and aromas. The differences within grape varieties are due to the difference in climate, the soil where the vines are planted, and the amount of sun.

The end result is in the hands of the winemaker. During the process from juice to wine, the winemaker still has a lot of options to change the final product into what he wants to put on the market.

The upbringing of the wine plays a major role in this. After fermentation, the process of raising and maturing the wine begins. There are many options for influencing the wine, but the most well-known concerns the ageing in wood.

If the winemaker chooses to raise the wine on wood, many things come into play. The first choice is whether new or older barrels will be used. Older, used barrels release less or no more aromas and tannins, but they still have an oxidative function. New wood barrels let in dosed oxygen and ensure that the wine has aromas and tannins. This is more intense with smaller barrels than with large wooden barrels.

Dry red wine

The most famous red wine is a dry red wine. The number of grape varieties and different taste profiles are enormous. There is a nice glass of red for every moment.

Sweet red wine

Just like sweet white wine, there is sweet red wine too! They are a lot rarer than dry red wines. If you want to try something different, it's definitely worth a try.

Alcohol-free red wine

Non-alcoholic wine is becoming more and more popular. Whether it is red non-alcoholic wine, white non-alcoholic wine, or sparkling non-alcoholic wine, more and more attention is being paid to it. Perfect for a cosy drink during pregnancy, or during a non-alcoholic month!

Red wine Gift

Red wine is fun to give, and even more fun to receive! Grandcruwijnen has ready-made wine gifts to make your gift recipient happy ;)

If you have your eye on a bottle of wine, at Grandcruwijnen we also have gift packaging to complete your gift! If you've found something you like, you can easily add a gift card during checkout.

Buy red wine online

At Grandcruwijnen you can easily buy red wine online. In our range, you will find products from the well-known grape varieties. If you want to buy a nice red wine, you have come to the right place at Grandcruwijnen. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact us!

Syrah, also called Shiraz, is a dark-skinned red wine grape variety known for producing bold, full-bodied wines with intense flavors. Here's what you need to know about this grape:

Origin

Syrah's origins date back to the Rhône Valley in France, especially in regions such as Hermitage and Côte-Rôtie. It is one of the most important grapes in the renowned wines of the Northern Rhône. The exact origins of the grape are still debated, but it is believed to have ancient roots in the Middle East. However, genetic research shows that the grape originates from two grape varieties from southeastern France - Dureza and Mondeuse blanche

The taste of Syrah

The wines are known for their rich, dark fruit flavors such as blackberry, black cherry and plum. They often have notes of black pepper, smoked meat, violet and sometimes earthy undertones. The flavor profile can vary depending on factors such as climate, soil and winemaking techniques. In cooler climates this grape produces wines with more pepper and floral notes while in warmer climates it produces richer and fruitier notes, sometimes with coffee and chocolate notes. It pairs well with grilled meat, especially lamb and beef, in dishes such as stews or on the barbecue. It also goes well with cheeses such as aged cheddar or blue cheese.

Characteristics of Syrah

Syrah is known for its adaptability to various soil types and climates, making it a sustainable choice for vineyard cultivation. Additionally, many wine producers are adopting sustainable and organic practices in both vineyard management and winemaking.

Many Syrah wines have excellent aging potential, particularly those from the Northern Rhône. With proper cellaring, they can develop more complexity and soften over time, while retaining their fruitiness and structure.