Shiraz or Syrah?

Shiraz, known in the Old World as Syrah, is a grape variety with a long history and remarkable versatility. Originating from the northern Rhône Valley, it has spread across the globe, gaining popularity for its distinctive flavors and adaptability to various climatic conditions. In its homeland, it produces iconic wines such as the long-lived and profound Hermitage and the aromatic Côte-Rôtie, where it is sometimes blended with white Viognier. However, far from home, in Australia, it reigns supreme in vineyards, captivating wine enthusiasts with its rich, powerful, and flavor-packed profile.

Australian winemakers have wholeheartedly embraced Shiraz, making it the country’s most widely planted grape variety. The warm and favorable climate in regions such as Barossa Valley provides ideal conditions for cultivating Shiraz. The result is dense, full-bodied wines with deep, dark nuances. The distinctive flavor profile often includes notes of black pepper and dark chocolate, supported by an elegantly firm tannic backbone.

In cooler regions, such as Victoria in southeastern Australia, the grape reveals a more refined side, producing wines with a signature black pepper and herbal character, softer tannins, and a more elegant fruit expression.

Penfolds Grange – the crown jewel of Australian Shiraz

Penfolds Grange, or simply “Grange”, is an iconic Australian Shiraz with a unique place in the world of winemaking. It was created in 1951 by the legendary Australian winemaker Max Schubert (who also inspired the name of Max’s Shiraz). At the time, it was a bold and unconventional wine – aged in new American oak barrels, a practice virtually unheard of in Australian winemaking. Today, a bottle of the 1951 Grange is valued at around €40,000.

The controversial beginnings of Grange

Initially, local wine critics and even Penfolds’ management criticized the wine, leading to an order to halt production. Undeterred, Max secretly continued producing small batches of Grange until 1957. His perseverance paid off when the wine gained acclaim from influential French wine experts. The outstanding 1955 vintage was entered into competitions starting in 1962 and has since won over 50 gold medals. The 1971 vintage secured first place in the Shiraz category at the Wine Olympics in Paris. In 1995, Wine Spectator named the 1990 vintage “Wine of the Year”, later awarding the 1998 vintage an impressive 99 points out of 100. Recognized as one of the first “cult wines” outside Europe, Grange has become one of the most sought-after wines in the world today.