Shiraz with pizzaz

Boela Gerber, winemaker for the last nine years at Groot Constantia, talked us through Shiraz/Viognier blends, Shiraz/Mourvedre/Viognier blends and varietal Shiraz wines at the latest Steenberg Vineyards Themed Tasting.

Even though the Constantia Wine Valley produces more and is better known for it’s white wines, premium red wines are crafted as can be seen by the Groot Constantia Gouverneurs Shiraz 2006 being ranked in the Top Ten Best Syrah du Monde 2009, matching the French at their own game, and Eagles Nest Shiraz 2006 named by Matthew Jukes as one of his top 50 South African wines for 2009.

Explaining the role of floral Viognier blended with Shiraz, Boela commented that “Viognier tones down Shiraz, takes the edge out of it. We used to refer to Shiraz as having a sweaty, saddle character………..until Brokeback Mountain that is.”

And of Mourvedre, “In the lean, cool climate, elegant style wines of Walker Bay, Mourvedre boosts the wine.”

Wines in the lineup:
Tamboerskloof Viognier 2008
La Motte Shiraz Viognier 2006
Graham Beck The Joshua 2003
Beaumont Mourvedre 2005
Newton Johnson Syrah-Mourvedre 2005
Anura Syrah-Mourvedre 2005
Eagles Nest Shiraz 2006
Groot Constantia Gouverneurs Shiraz 2006
Steenberg Shiraz 2003

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

This entry was posted on Monday, June 15th, 2009 at 4:44 pm and is filed under Wine Tasting. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.