A Trip Around the World

With the release of our new vintage 2017 Lotties Shiraz and 2018 The Moo Shiraz just around the corner we thought we would celebrate by taking you on a trip around the world to discover the magic versatility of our favourite variety.

Australia
Shiraz is grown in every wine region in Australia, 4 out of 5 labels produce Shiraz and Australian Shiraz is amongst the most highly regarded in the world. Regions produce a staggering variety of styles, and each one is distinct and unique.

The Adelaide Hills produces medium-bodied styles that are very refined.
In the Barossa Valley, we care for some of the oldest Shiraz vines in the world that produce wine that is rich with back fruits and lusciously textured.
Canberra is producing Shiraz that most resemble the variety’s French origins, medium-bodied, cool-climate wines with great subtlety.
Clare Valley enjoys warm days and cool nights lending structure to age-worthy Shiraz with just a hint of liquorice.
Heathcote creates intense examples of the variety while the Hunter Valley is medium-bodied and displays savoury notes.
McLaren Vale also produces full-bodied Shiraz that displays more blue fruit and chocolate versus the black fruit notes of the Barossa.
Yarra Valley is emerging as a region producing elegant, medium-bodied, spicy Shiraz.

Europe
When talking about Shiraz it’s impossible not to mention France. It’s the birthplace of Shiraz and remains the world’s largest producer.
While Shiraz is grown throughout South and South-Eastern France it’s in the northern Rhône that you’ll find famous examples of Shiraz such as wine from Hermitage that is concentrated and long-lived, luscious in texture but bone-dry in fruit or Côte Rôtie where it is lighter and more refreshing.
In Languedoc, Shiraz tends to be high in alcohol and tannins lending them enormous ageing potential. They’re low acid wines with notes of spice and resin.

Italy has rediscovered its love for Shiraz in recent years, and while many producers are using the variety for blending there are some winemakers who are championing monovarietal wines. In Sicily, for example, Shiraz is intensely coloured and fruit-forward, aromatic and smooth.

Spain is the third-largest producer of Shiraz in the world, after France and Australia. Castilla-La Mancha, Aragón and Catalunya are notable regions producing Shiraz that tends to be similar in style to French, if a little plumper and sweeter.

Switzerland, perhaps the most surprising contender for quality Shiraz, has a small planting of mature vines which produce unexpectedly concentrated examples of monovarietal Shiraz.

New Zealand
While New Zealand is generally considered too cool in climate to produce Shiraz there are some winemakers especially in Hawke’s Bay that are creating lovely, lighter, elegant Syrah styles.

North America
While we may mostly associate North American wine with California, it’s in Washington State that Shiraz dominates. Soil conditions and climate in Washington State create Shiraz that is complex in flavour with well-maintained fruit acidity. Common tasting notes include tobacco, olive and jam.
While Shiraz is grown all over North America, perhaps the most surprising entry is Shiraz from Hawaii. Hawaiian Shiraz often tastes herbaceous and highlights red fruits.

South Africa
Shiraz in South Africa often follows the Australian style rather than the French, full-bodied and rich. Shiraz loves the South African climate and so it’s very widely grown throughout.

South America
Chile is fast becoming a Shiraz heavyweight and enjoys rewarding regional styles that defy generalisation. Colchagua produces Shiraz that is full-flavoured and spicy with sweet tannins while Marchihue is more savoury and Elqui medium-bodied, aromatic and peppery. 

Argentina is also producing notable Shiraz. Their variations in climate also lend a variety of regional differences to the wines.

We really love experiencing wine from around the world. It’s always an adventure to taste the huge impact of location and style on our favourite varieties. Of course, we’re besotted with Barossa Shiraz. The classic fruit-forward richness and silky, layered cocoa finishes are just perfect for our palate. While we’re sad to say goodbye to our 2016 Lotties Shiraz this week, we are very excited to say ‘hello’ to our 2017 vintage soon as well as the 2018 The Moo Shiraz which we will be releasing early next week to fill our Shiraz need.

-“The Oxford Companion to Wine”. Jancis Robinson and Julia Harding. Oxford University Press. 2015.
-“Wine Grapes”. Robinson, Harding & Vouillamoz. Penguin Random House UK. 2012.
-Italian Wine Connection. “Syrah (Shiraz)“. 2021
-Forbes. “Syrah: Rich And Spicy Grape, Getting More Popular By The Day“. Per and Britt Karlsson. Jul 8, 2020
-Halliday. “Understanding Shiraz“. 2021.
-Wine Selectors. “Know Your Variety: Shiraz“. 6 Jan 2021
-Seven Fifty Daily. “Guide to Languedoc for Wine Professioanls“. 2021
-Wine Folly. “Getting to Know Washington Syrah“. Madeline Puckette. January 20th, 2013.
-MauiWine. “Syrah“. 2021.
-Decanter. “Chilean Syrah“. May 24, 2010

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In Bottle

Only 19 bottles remaining
2016 Lotties Shiraz

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This is one absolutely not to be missed, the theme: Lotties Past & Future. We’ll take you through back vintages from our personal collection as well as barrel samples from upcoming vintages. This means that you’ll have the opportunity to be the very first (aside from Wyndham of course) to taste future vintages of Lotties.

So join us at 4:00pm on Friday, August 20th to experience what makes Lotties great in both the past and the future. We can’t wait for you to come on this journey with us.

Very limited spaces remaining.