Wine

Top 5 Facts About Shiraz

This may come as no surprise; Shiraz is Australia's most popular wine style. Why? Because it can grow just about anywhere in the country and is enjoyed everywhere from a day at the races to a quiet dinner for two. We may have borrowed this deep, dark varietal from the French, but it has truly become part of Australia’s identity.

Top 5 Facts About Shiraz

1. Shiraz is one of the most widely planted grape varietals in the world thanks to the vine being incredibly hardy and its ability to adapt to multiple climates.
2. Australia is the second-largest producer of Shiraz coming in just behind France who benefits from the hometown advantage.
3. The name 'Shiraz' is used almost exclusively in Australia. For most of the rest of the world, it's known by its French moniker 'Syrah.'
4. The 'S' of the famed GSM blends, of course, stands for Shiraz. Or Syrah, depending on geography.
5. Some of the most expensive Shiraz in the world can contain white grapes like Viognier. Canberra's Clonakilla winery has developed a cult following for its unique Shiraz Viognier blend.

5 Fun Facts about Shiraz

1. The name Syrah means 'princess' in Arabic.
2. Shiraz is the name of a city in Iran, yet the Rhone region of France is known as the home of Syrah. Some claim the grapes were brought from Persia to France, but no one knows for sure.
3. Shiraz is widely considered one of the 'healthiest' wine varietals. Its high dose of antioxidants is believed to help with stress, weight loss and prevent heart disease - when consumed in moderation.
4. It takes between 600 and 800 grapes to produce a single bottle of Shiraz.
5. With vines dating back to the early 1800s, Australia has the world's oldest Shiraz vines still producing delicious product.

5 Great Shiraz Food Pairings

1. Swinging into barbeque season, skip the sausages and go for mouth-watering Argentinian beef steaks with spicy chimichurri sauce.
2. Beautifully braised oxtail with Italian herbs, olives and balsamic vinegar is nothing short of an absolute crowd-pleaser.
3. Vegetarian moussaka with buttery white sauce and a side of fresh tomato form the backbone of your Mediterranean feast!
4. Gourmet lamb burgers served with zesty tomato relish, and tzatziki offer a fresh twist on an Aussie classic.
5. A chocolate soufflé with juicy raspberries and a savoury Shiraz syrup is guaranteed to keep the party rolling.

Head to our Wine Shop and check out our extensive range of Australian Shiraz!