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

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

And 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

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

There 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

Lesson #3  Does the situation call for the old wine camp or the new?

The old wine countries create very dry and challenging drinks, while new wine countries offer more friendly, less dry wines. This is a generalization of course but it’s useful to know that the two styles exist – and that choosing the appropriate one will go a long way in determining the success of your event. Or just your own drinking pleasure.

For this lesson you will need to buy and open both red wines below. Experience them side by side (yes, two glasses in front of you) so you can see the different experiences described below. Neither wine is better of course, but there will be a better ‘choice’ once you factor in a situation/mood/food. You could have the foods suggested with the two wines – on the same evening, or spread your lesson over two evenings.

OLD WORLD STYLE Red
CESARI 08 Merlot, Italy 572453 $7.25 page 149
(alternative: Alianca 06 Bairrada Reserve, Portugal 158741 $8.50)
very dry – an edge – earthy – challenging. Very refreshing and good at stimulating the palate – making you hungry, and keeping you hungry through the meal. Its strength is being good at helping you enjoy the meal. And not knocking you out with high alcohol. Could be likened to European movies that give you something to think about.
FOODS: Plain roasted or grilled red meats with fresh herbs. Tomato sauced pasta or pizza.
FYI: The traditional wines of France, Italy, Spain, etc are known as Old World.

NEW WORLD STYLE Red
CONO SUR 08 Shiraz, Chile 64295 $9.95 page 199
(alternative: Finca Flichman 08 Malbec ‘Misteria’, Argentina 28803 $7.80)
Smooth – fruity – spicy sweet – yummy. Instant pleasure and the ‘let’s party’ feeling. An invitation to relax – with food, or without. If there’s food, make sure it has kick-ass flavours. New World reds could be likened to Hollywood movies – lots of glitz and glam.
FOODS: Ribs, steaks or chops with spicy/sweet sauces. Burgers with all the fixins.
FYI: Australian, Chilean and Californian wines are categorized as New World.
P.S. Ontario is in this group technically, but most of our best wines are Old World and cool climate in style.

Yvon Mau Shiraz

Yvon Mau 07 Shiraz, VDP de l’Aude, France 621979 $9.15

Creekside winery is the master of local Shiraz and if you get a chance to visit you’ll be able to taste some sensational, limited production bottles. Fortunately they also produce lots of an everyday edition that’s my favourite. I call it local Chianti.

Niagara is not Australia, and local Shiraz tastes nothing like Little Penguin. Our style is lighter, brighter, refreshing and a little rustic. Hence my suggestion of Chianti. Gutsy wine for hearty pastas, burgers and any food prepared with love.

CREEKSIDE 07 Shiraz, VQA Niagara  66654 $15.95