Sparkling Shiraz

[ajay]

My sister is traveling in Australia, and she recentley reported that she had tried a sparkling Shiraz. Apparently, it is quite sweet, though in her case it was served with cheese, and not as a dessert wine.

Are members familiar with this style of wine? If so, are there certain producers/years that are worthy of particular note? Where in NYC would I find such wine?

Also, do members think this sparkling shiraz is in any way related to Iniskilin's (sp?) production of Cabernet Franc dessert wines?

PS. have members tried the aforementined cabrenet franc from insikilin? Danielle, the sommellier at Lespinasse spoke very highly about them [ I must confess that I have a bit of a sweet tooth], but i have not yet had the opportunity to take in any.

[LaNiña]

I've no idea of the specifics....but I've had sparkling shiraz in a couple of restaurants in NYC. It's not so sweet. I know they serve it at this mediocre Thai place called Long tan on 5th Ave. in Park Slope. The owner is Australian.

[Niall]

Sparkling Shiraz and Chambourcin are both fantastic. Sparkling Merlot is a bit so-so.

There are quite a few bubbly reds on the Aussie market at the moment; some are very good; my favourite Shirazes are Pattersons and Majella. Fox Creek do a good Cab Shiraz. Seppelt and Yellowglen do some drinkable cheap shirazes. D'Arenberg and Petersons both do a good bubly chambourcin

Nicks is an Aussie website that will dleiver to the US, but it's prices aren't competitive locally.

[Robert Nesta Marley]

what a lovely production, generally speaking. but sparkling shiraz is NOT sweet. repeat, NOT sweet. it is a wine lover's sparkler, and someone who orders it from me must be a wine lover (especially of syrah) because the best examples drink exactly like new world syrah, tannic structure and all. the petillance is stunning, with pink colored beads--it is drunk (drank? dranken? drinkin?...) in australia during celebration, from what i understand. it's great at weddings (except when the bride spills it on her dress...), very pretty. and people are floored by it.

look for "the vixen".

[Niall]

look for "the vixen".

This is the Fox Creek Cab Shiraz blend. Very yummy.

[Adam Balic]

There is a range of styles in Australia. It has been considered a winemakers wine, but has enjoyed recent popularity.

The Banrock Station version is quite sweet (med-dry) and a bit sickly. Seppelts make a good Sparkling Shiraz, but this can be a little dry and tannic for some.

Seppelts also make a show reserve version, which I have drank 25 year old versions of and it is fantastic, very complex, dry and still some bubbles.

This is my favorite though.

http://www.primoestate.com.au/cgi-bin/prim...u/Wines/Red.htm

Don't tell anybody though.

[Ron Johnson]

It epitomizes what the Australians have done to the syrah grape.

[Adam Balic]

Yes, made a unique and interesting wine style that slips through the cracks of wine greatness - as defined by wine-snobs. Don't worry these things tend to get discovered by Parker et al., so it will most likely be legit. to drink it very soon.

[Ron Johnson]

Yes Parker is indeed a champion of the Australian winemaker. Unique and interesting is an apt description of the style.

[Adam Balic]

Ron - Mr. Parker at least has some personal experience on the wine he is making comment on. Sadly, this offen cannot be said of you.

Get over it buddy, wine snobbery is far to common to be interesting.

[Ron Johnson]

Ron - Mr. Parker at least has some personal experience on the wine he is making comment on. Sadly, this offen cannot be said of you.

Get over it buddy, wine snobbery is far to common to be interesting.

Please list the names of the wines on which I have made comments that I have not personally sampled. I believe you said that I do it "often".

Adam, I see you are calling me a wine snob. Yes, it is true I like good and reasonably priced wines, however, I was unaware that made one a snob.

I have not had an Australian shiraz that I have liked. Why you choose to take this personally is beyond me . . . buddy.

[Adam Balic]

Ron - I respect your experience and expertise in wine but snide comments such as todays "It epitomizes what the Australians have done to the syrah grape" and "All of those wines are ready to drink now." are not really helpful and in regards to the letter comment, potentially hurtful.

"Snob" is a strong word and I applogize for that. I don't really like the majority of exported Australian Shirazs either, too oaky and fruity. However, that doesn't mean that they are all like that and without having tried a part of the broad spectrum of shiraz styles produced in Australia, generalisations about what Australians have done to syrah are a little tiresome.

[Adam Balic]

Here are some links for some information about Australian Sparkling Shiraz. The first link has a pretty good selection of what is avalible, the second has details of proberly the best example in the country.

Sparkling Shiraz

Seppelt's Sparkling Shiraz