Syrah or as it is know in some part of the world, Shiraz is a dark skinned grape predominantly used for red wine. It is the offspring of two obscure grapes from France.
Dureza (the father of Syrah): which is a dark skinned grape varietal from the Ardeche region in France
Mondeuse Blanche (the mother of Syrah): a white grape found exclusively in and around Savoy (Savoie) wine region in France
In the Rhone region of France Syrah has a long documented history. Wines from this grape varietal are very full-bodied and flavorful. Aromas consuming wines made with this varietal include dark berries, chocolate, and espresso. Syrahs are substantial wines that have incredibly bold flavors
You may have seen wines that have the word Shiraz on the label instead of Syrah. Be aware that it is the same grape varietal. However, in France and the rest of Europe as well as Chile, Argentina, Uruguay & the U.S. the label will read Syrah. In countries like Australia, however, you will see labels reflecting the name Shiraz.
Gainey Vineyards
One of my favorite Syrahs, is the Gainey Vineyard Limited Selection Syrah. The aroma of this fine Syrah is of dark raspberries and blackberries with hints of peppery spice. Lavender and sage are noted slightly. On the tongue the elegant taste of dark berries linger into a smooth finish. This wine which retails for about $40.00 a bottle is excellent with grilled meats or barbecues. Check out the Gainey Vineyard website for more information on this delicious wine or contact your local fine wine shop to see if they carry it or can order it for you.
Yesterday we attend Day 1 of the LA Wine Fest and I would have to say it was extremely fun and a little overwhelming at the same time. There were hundreds of people there and more wine than one individual could taste in a day, or even two days. Because of the abundance of people and wine, there wasn’t much time to truly taste the wines and compare and contrast against others. Nonetheless, it was still an exciting event.
My game plan, going in, was to stop at tables of wineries and vineyards I’d never heard of or tried before. For the most part this is what happened. The exceptions, of course, were the Mollydooker and Opolo tables. I had to stop there because they are two of my favorites and I knew they would have something exciting to share. I will tell you what those were a little later in the post.
Solsticio
One of the first places we stopped and I must say one of the best was at the Solsticio table. There we met the owners, Matthew and Amy Kot who’s wines come from the Uco Valley in Argentina. The first wine they poured for us was the Torrontes. The vibrant aroma reminds you of green apples. The taste is light, crisp and refreshing with a floral essence that finishes quite smoothly. The Malbec was also delightful. It’s bouquet was of deep dark stone fruit. On the palate the dark fruit explodes in combination with the oak all the while allowing for a gentle finish. Both of these wines were delicious and will be added to the jackpots page of this blog.
Amy & Matthew Kot - Owners of Solsticio
Vampire
The Vampire table was next. Click on the word Vampire in the previous sentence and it will take you to the winemakers website. Their website has quite an interesting story as to how their wines came to be. I digress… while at the table we noticed they were pouring several different wines including the Vampire Cabernet Sauvignon and Dracula Zinfandel. The zinfandel was quite bold and spicy with flavors of dark plums and chocolate. I love zinfandel however, I didn’t find this one as exciting as some others I’ve tried. However, the cabernet was extremely delicious. It is blended with a little merlot and syrah which gives it a gentle but still a substantial feel on the palate. The concept of this winery is great and is definitely worth a trip to Paso Robles to see how the immortals make wine. Below is an ad for Vampire wine. Not sure when it was produced though but found it quite appropriate.
Vines on the Marycrest
Our next stop was at Vines on the Marycrest. This boutique winery is also located on the Central Coast in Paso Robles. At Wine Fest, Victor, the owner poured us two of their wines, a syrah based wine called ‘Round Midnight and a zinfandel based wine called My Generation. Both wines were good but the syrah was the better of the two. It is a blend of syrah, mourvedre and grenache. The taste of cherries delight the palate with just a hint of vanilla. This wine would do well with both a casual or elegant meal. To learn more about Vines on the Marycrest check out their story on thewinerychannel.tv.
Cielo
Two more jackpots were found at the Cielo table. Cielo Farms is located in the breath-taking hills of Malibu, California. In these gorgeous surroundings several beautiful wines are produced including Malibu Rouge and Honey Pie. The Malibu Rouge is a deep, dark fruity blend of merlot, syrah, cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc. This combination explodes with flavors of dark cherries, cinnamon, blackberries, vanilla and caramel. The tannins are soft and the finish is creamy. It’s like silk on the palate. The Honey Pie is also just as delicious. This white wine has a nose of apricots and the taste of citrus, peaches and honey (hence the name). The texture is smooth and light with just the right hint of sweetness. These two wines are a definite must have for any wine cellar.
Owners of Cielo Farms
Mollydooker
Not to long ago I did a post on Mollydooker’s “The Boxer”. So when I heard this winery was going to be at Wine Fest I made it a point of stopping by their table. I was happy I did because I tasted another great wine from them that solidifies my opinion of them. They make great wine. The wine they poured was their Blue Eyed Boy Shiraz. An absolute delight, this wine is aromatic and flavorful. The taste of sweet fruit is apparent but not overpowering. The tannins are sleek and the finish is velvety. This wine is named after the owners’ son, who’s picture is on the bottle. The Blue Eyed Boy is an excellent Shiraz. Another score from our friends down-under.
Opolo
Opolo Zinfandel is one of my favorite wines, as I have mentioned before (see previous post) . So I was extremely excited to learn they were going to be at Wine Fest. As usual they did not disappoint. Their new release, an ’07 Reserve Zinfandel, is out of this world. The taste is bold with the implication of deep, dark fruit. On the palate the texture is soft and inviting. It’s elegance makes it a must-have at your next party or upscale event.
I could go on an on as there were so many more wines tasted. However, I will stop here as these were some of the top stars (in my opinion) at the event. Day 2 of the event is happening today from 2PM – 6PM, so if you missed it yesterday you still have a chance to experiences some of these great wines today.
My next post will feature some of the other interesting tables we visited at LA Wine Fest.
It is believed that grapes were first cultivated in the region between the Black and Caspian Seas (near northern Iran) as early as 6000 B.C.
Grape seeds were found in Switzerland and Italy which dated 4000 B.C.
The Phoenicians traders brought grapes to Egypt in 3000 B.C.
Viticulture or the cultivation of grapes spread to Greece in 2000 B.C. and then on to Italy, Sicily and North Africal in 1000 B.C.
Variety of Grapes
Today…
There are hundreds of grape varieties produced worldwide today. Of these hundreds of varieties only a small portion of these are are used for wine production. Other varieties are based on table, juice and raisin production. Table grapes (those that we eat) differ from wine grapes in that they have a lower sugar content and are more flavorful. These grapes take about 8 to 10 weeks to mature and the majority of them don’t do well in wine production. The exception to that would be the Muscat grape which is a table grape as well as successful wine grape. Wine grapes tend to be more aromatic with a higher skin to pulp ratio than table grapes. They also have a higher sugar content which lends itself to greater triumph in the fermentation process.
White Wine Grapes
There are some classics when it comes to white wine grapes:
Chardonnay Grape
Chardonnay – This is probably the most famous of all white wine grapes. This fruit is originally from Burgundy. Its adaptability, however, makes it easy to grow in a variety of places including Mendoza, Napa Valley and the Barossa Valley. Winemakers enjoy working with this grape because it is so pliant. They can tailor it to the demands of the market. Key flavors of this grape include butter, peachy, toasty, vanilla and walnut flavor.
Sauvignon Blanc Grape
Sauvignon Blanc – This is one of the most distinctive white grapes because of its stimulating high acidity and its fresh, grassy aroma. This grape originated in the Loire Valley of France (around Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume). However, towards the latter part of the 1980′s, sauvignon blanc wines from Malborough, New Zealand started making a name for themselves. Sauvignon blanc from the Loire Valley often appears smoky in character but the Malborough sauvignon blancs are fruity, with incredible intensity and clarity. Key flavors of this grape include cut grass, flint, currant leaves or gooseberries.
Riesling Grape
Riesling – This grape originated in Germany but has since been successfully cultivated in Australia, New Zealand, California and Canada. Reislings are fruity and light. They range sweetness from bone-dry to extremely sweet. Their alcohol content also ranges from 8 percent or less in the Germany wines to about 14 percent in Australian wines. Key flavors included citrus (specifically lime), fresh apple, floral hints, honey and other fruits like apricot and peaches.
Other great white wine grapes that may not be as common to novice include:
Chenin Blanc Grape
Chenin Blanc – One of the least popular of the French varieties this grape, if not handled appropriately or if unripe, can produce some of the tartest and nastiest wine. However, when handled and used appropriately this grape can be used in a variety of styles including sweet, bone-dry and even sparkling wines. It originates from Anjou-Touraine in the Loire Valley. Key flavors include floral, straw and honey flavors.
Gewurztraminer Grape
Gewurztraminer – This grape has a unique pink color and produces a full-bodied, golden yellow wine with a slightly oily texture. It’s aroma is of unforgettable rose petals, lychee or ginger. This wine is usually very easy for a novice (after the initial experience) to recognize because of it’s dark color and powerful aroma. This grape is grown in Germany, Italy, Austria, Switzerland and Alsace. It can also be find in Washington state and Oregon as well as New Zealand.
Pinot Gris/Grigio, Semillon, and Viognier are also white grapes that make some great wines and that a worth you looking further into.
Red Wine Grapes
Some of the classics include:
Cabernet Sauvignon Grape
Cabernet Sauvignon – This is to red wine what chardonnay is to white. This grape originated in Bordeaux but has been planted and successfully cultivated in California, Chile, Australia, Argentina, South Africa, Vin de Pays d’Oc region (France), Tuscany and even Romania. These are just a few of the places this thick-skinned, dark blue grape can be found. This grape is very adaptable, however, it will not mature fully in climates that are really cold. It, also, will not flourish in extremely hot environments. Key flavors are chocolate, mint, and black currant. It also takes on the flavors of the oak barrel while it’s aging, producing additional flavors of vanilla and toast.
Pinot Noir Grape
Pinot Noir – This grape can either be the best thing that has happened to a winemaker or the worst. Pinot noir grapes are very finicky about their climate, soil and the way it is handled. However, if all conditions are optimal this grape can produce a wondeful wine that is low in tannins and acidity. The grape originates from Burgundy and is now being grown California, Oregon, New Zealand and Australia with very favorable outcome. Key flavors for pinot noir include roses, violets, raspberries, strawberries and truffles. This grape works well in French oak but not in American oak.
Syrah/Shiraz Grape
Syrah/Shiraz – This grape is the king of producing deep, dark, full-bodied, spicy wines. It originates in the northern Rhone Valley, however, in Australia, huge plantings of shiraz are found. This grape produces some expensive, top-of-the line wines. However, in some places like Australia it is served as an everyday wine. Key flavors in northern Rhone tend to be of blackberries, black currants and raspberries). In Australia, the key flavors include an exotic spicy, chocolaty element.
Merlot Grape
Merlot – This grape got a bad reputation in the movie “Sideways”. It’s unfortunate, too, because there are some very delicious merlots out there. It is similar to cabernet sauvignon but not as potent. It has a lusher, softer approach. It enjoys aging in oak and produces a plummy flavor. This grape has been widely planted in Bordeaux but does very well in a host of other places including St.-Emilion, Pomerol, Casablanca, Washington State and even California.
Other reds wine grapes you should seek out when making your wine selections include, mourvedre, sangiovese, petite sirah and myfavorite zinfandel.
This listing is by no means all-inclusive. There are so many wine grape varieties out there. Next time you are out making your wine purchase try a different grape variety. You will broaden your tasting experience and you may just find a new wine jackpot.
Late last year while at dinner with some friends we decided to order a couple of bottles of wine for the table. Being predictable I opted for the red wine which was an Australian Shiraz. It was a truly intense wine with heavy fruit content. The smell was quite aromatic and the taste of sweet fruit stood out in the complex wine. As you all know I am not a fan of sweet wines, but this was different. There was definitely a boldness with a peculiar hint of sweetness. I found the wine to be delicious and made sure I wrote down the name before I left the restaurant. As I was jotting down the name I couldn’t help but giggle because the name was quite fitting. Mollydooker’s “The Boxer” Shiraz packs quite a powerful punch. However, the wine finishes on a very smooth note.
The Boxer Label
The next day I took a trip to one of my favorite wine shops, The Green Jug, in search of The Boxer and sure enough they had it in stock. The holidays were fast approaching so I purchased a few bottles for myself and some extras to give as gifts. On New Year’s Eve my husband and I decided to open a bottle to drink instead of going with the traditional Champagne. Although it was good, I was a little disappointed because it wasn’t as good as I’d remembered it being at the restaurant. It was still intense but the fruit was extremely sweet and tight. I thought that part of the problem was me not letting it breathe long enough and at that time I didn’t have my wonderful Vinturi aerator.
Not willing to give up on The Boxer, I visited the website of the producer to try and understand this wine a bit better. Again, Mollydooker wines are produced in Australia by an award winning husband and wife team. Sarah & Sparky Marquis have been producing wines for years and now have a winery in McLaren Vale outside of Adelaide in South Australia. Their Watering Programme and Fruit Weight system has proven to be key in making great wines.
While visiting their website I noticed that they had a link to what they called the Mollydooker Shake. Curious to find out more, I clicked on the link and sure enough there is a video teaching you how prepare Mollydooker wines for optimal consumption. To watch the video please click here. Below I have also included written instructions on the Mollydooker Shake. If you can, check out the video because it is not only educational, but fun also. According to Sarah and Sparky they put the minimal amount of sulfites in their wine because of sensitivity in some people. To reduce the sulfites they add inert nitrogen gas prior to bottling. The purpose of the Mollydooker Shake is to eliminate some of the nitrogen. By doing the shake some of the nitrogen escapes and the full, round flavor of the wine comes out. Since learning this new wine dance, I have found The Boxer every bit as tasty as our first match-up.
Go out and pick-up The Boxer tonight. This jackpot retails for about $20.00 to $25.00. Before drinking it though don’t forget to do the Mollydooker Shake. Have fun!!!
Sep 9, 2009 
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Gainey Limited Selection Syrah, Shiraz, syrah
Not willing to give up on The Boxer, I visited the website of the producer to try and understand this wine a bit better. Again, 