All posts tagged Shiraz

My Kind of Shiraz

by Kato on May 7, 2011 in Wine Picks with 1 Comment

deakin

The Board is running an Aussie promotion but I want to tell you about a wine that’s not on the feature tables. This is probably a good time to admit that I drink less Aussie Shiraz than everyone else in Canada. Too sweet, too dense and just too obvious. But I’ve just tasted one that going on my summer shopping list.

What I like about Deakin Shiraz is the brightness and the refreshment. There’s a little Beaujolais spirit giving it a fun, lighthearted feeling. An invitation to gulp. Could be the hit red of the BBQ season.

DEAKIN ESTATE 09 SHIRAZ, Australia 560821 $9.95

Big Guy Does Good

by Kato on January 12, 2011 in Wine Picks with 1 Comment

JacobsCreekSparkling-NewThe prize for best big winery goes to Australia’s Jacob’s Creek. Every one of their wines is singing on key, oozing drinkability and delivering great value.

The sparkling is Champagne-like – good enough for the wino, but also fun enough for all the gang. Best sparkling wine value in the world. Get a case. I’ve previously recommended the invigorating, herbaceous Sem/Sauv and check-out the Chardonnay for party gulping. The Shiraz is less sweet than most and well priced. You’ll find delicious spicy/exotic flavours and a fireside, warmhearted feeling in the Reserve Shiraz. A quietly confident Aussie.

And congrats to the Jacob’s Creek on the innovative TO transit/billboard advertising campaign.

JACOB’S CREEK Sparkling Brut, Chardonnay/Pinot Noir, Australia 562991 $13.95
JACOB’S CREEK 09 Semillon/Chardonnay, Australia 219105 $11.25
JACOB’S CREEK 09 Chardonnay, Australia 286898 $11.25
JACOB’S CREEK 08 Shiraz, Australia 548644 $12.25
JACOB’S CREEK 07 Shiraz Reserve, Barossa, Australia 66547 $16.95

December Drinking Tip No.4

by Kato on December 8, 2010 in Wine Picks with No comments

December Drinking Tip #4: ENJOYING the BEST TEN DOLLAR SHIRAZ in the WORLD

ConoSurShirazAnd better than a lot of the stuff at twenty and thirty dollars. How can this be you ask? Well, all I know is that there is something magical in Chilean vineyards and when coupled with brilliant winemaking the results can make a mockery of the established wine world. The Cono Sur winery is modern, hip, happening, cutting edge so the wines have an extra shot of razzle-dazzle.

I’ve loved the Shiraz when it came out last year and now with some bottle age it’s developed an earthy, woodsy character to partner the spicy/peppery flavours. Feels grounded and nourishing. Richness meets gusto. I could see Ralph Lauren drinking this at his winter cottage. Tell him I sent you.

Enjoy Cono Sur Shiraz with any hearty, winter meal.

CONO SUR 08 SHIRAZ, Chile 64295 $9.95

Yes, We do Shiraz in Ontario!

by Kato on October 23, 2010 in Wine Picks with No comments

KOZELI don’t like to see the word Shiraz on a bottle of local. We shouldn’t be, cannot succeed, copying the Aussies. What we can do well is a drier, French-style wine from the grape – which they Syrah.

But you cannot stop someone attempting the rich Aussie style –  especially if the results are good. Such as Konzelmann’s 09 Shiraz.  Which is slightly sweet and very smooth. Semi-rich with the peppery character of this grape. Satisfying stuff for a fall or winter night, with a lamb or beef dish. And friends of Shiraz. And it’s good value in the local category.

Konzelmann 09 Shiraz, VQA Niagara 144857 $12.75

Billy’s Online Wine School

by Kato on April 13, 2010 in Billy's Online Wine School, Wine Picks with 3 Comments

Billy’s Online Wine School
Lesson #8 MAKE FRIENDS with RUSTIC REDS

lesson8There was a time when almost all red wines were rustic. Bone dry with a tangy bite. A bit challenging but refreshing and appetizing. Today’s fashion is for smooth, rich reds – and while these are delicious drinks they are not great companions at the dinner table. They try to upstage the food. And they tire, rather than stimulate the appetite.

So take a trip on the challenging side. Make rustic your friend and new dinner companion. Have second bottles on hand as the refreshing nature of rustic reds tend to keep us longer at the table. Italy is motherland of rustic red but some of our local wineries are not afraid to produce wines with an edge. Have with burgers, pizza, lasagna, casseroles, BBQ’d red meats and anything oven-roasted.

Creekside’s Shiraz is gutsy, down to earth and loaded with vim and vitality. An Ontario Chianti! Get food on the table and you’ll be in for the fun of a fast bottle.

The blend of Cabernet Franc and Shiraz from Angels Gate tastes like something you’d have at a French bistro. Hearty, earthy and very real. I’d love to see more local wine produced in this style.

CREEKSIDE 07 Shiraz, VQA Niagara 66654 $15.75
ANGELS GATE 07 Cabernet/Shiraz, VQA Niagara 146365 $14.75

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