I am not an expert, just a discerning wine lover or amateur de vin (as the French say), but everyone has a different palate, likes and dislikes so it must be understood that any of my recommendations are personal. I just hope that you find them useful or at the very least - interesting. I also hope you enjoy my photos. It is more fun sharing then keeping them backed up on a hard drive.

Sunday, June 30, 2013

Syrah vs. Shiraz - which one is for you?

We all know they are the same grape but it expresses itself differently in different climates in different regions. Winemakers also choose to name their wine based on the style of Syrah they have made. Even here in Ontario where we definitely do not have the climate of Australia you will see the odd Shiraz because the winemaker sees it as a bigger more fruit-forward wine that is the Shiraz style. (Or as a jaded marketing person's point of view, a great marketing strategy since Shiraz is so popular)

If you read my blog at all, you will notice that my taste, in general, is more old world/cool climate but that is not to say I haven't had a Shiraz that I love. I prefer the less jammy versions that have a strong pepper backbone and are a little leaner. I have had some fabulous ones, but some are very expensive so I went in search of some QPR Shiraz to my taste that I could happily recommend.

WITS END LUNA SHIRAZ 2011, McLaren Vale, Australia - $ 16.95   
        
http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/searchResults.do?ITEM_NAME=WITS+END+LUNA+SHIRAZ+2011&ITEM_NUMBER=&language=EN

http://www.chalkhill.com.au/our-story/our-vineyards/wits-end-vineyard

WITS END LUNA SHIRAZ 2011

PENFOLDS THOMAS HYLAND SHIRAZ, South Australia - $ 21.95   

http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=611210   

http://www.penfolds.com/en/Age-Check.aspx?u=%2fen%2fWines%2fThomas-Hyland.aspx

PENFOLDS THOMAS HYLAND SHIRAZ (V)
   
Very good example of Ontario Shiraz:

CREEKSIDE CABERNET SHIRAZ VQA, Niagara Peninsula - $ 15.95
http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=305300    

http://creeksidewine.com/wines/estate-reds/shiraz 

CREEKSIDE SHIRAZ VQA    


And now for some well-priced, Syrah just to contrast compare if you so choose:

CHÂTEAU MARIS LA TOUGE MINERVOIS LA LIVINIÈRE SYRAH 2009, France - $ 19.95

http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=325084

http://www.mariswine.com/en/mrc1/5-la-touge-syrah.html

CHÂTEAU MARIS LA TOUGE MINERVOIS LA LIVINIÈRE SYRAH 2009

JEAN-LUC COLOMBO LES FÉES BRUNES CROZES HERMITAGE SYRAH 2009, France - $ 24.95

http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=286351 

http://www.vinscolombo.fr/uk/      

  
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