LIQUOR / Shiraz

Shiraz or Syrah as it is more commonly known outside Australia traces its "roots" back to France's Rhone Valley (particularly the North) where it is the noble variety behind the great wines of Cote-Rotie, Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, St Joseph and Cornas.

In the New World, Australia has led the variety to world-wide popularity via the richer and alcoholic styles of the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale regions of South Australia.

In more recent times other regions within Australia including cooler areas in Victoria,Western Australia and Canberra have given new prominence to a more textured and spicy version more reminiscent of the wines of the Rhone. In New Zealand and the USA the variety is also made with increasing success in the more savoury, Syrah-like style.

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