In terms of planted area, the Shiraz red wine variety has long been Australia’s most planted and most recognized grape variety. Grown almost everywhere in the Australia, it greatly satisfies the various demands of the various local terroirs and climates. This grape type has a lengthy history in Australia and is identical to the French Syrah grape variety.
When Australian Shiraz did win the fight against Australian Cabernet Sauvignon
Shiraz was so well-known that during the time Cabernet Sauvignon started gaining popularity in Australia (and worldwide), Shiraz was given a completely unjustified level of disinterest. Thankfully, ancient dry-land (non-irrigated) plantings in the Hunter Valley (renowned for Shiraz wines that age to become silky) and the Barossa Valley (known for rich, robust wines) started a trend of increasing success both locally and internationally.
If Chardonnay initiated Australia’s exports abroad, Shiraz seized export leadership in the late 1990s without ever giving back its throne since. It has resulted in a profusion of Shiraz plantings in both Old and New World countries, as competitors seek to replicate Australia’s offering.
About the intrinsic commercial advantages of Australian Shiraz
However, Australia has four advantages that cannot be diminished:
- The first advantage is the reserve of old vines from 80 to 150 years old that can be found in New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia (Adelaide) vineyards, all ungrafted and mainly dry-grown (non-irrigated).
- The second is the equally extensive experience vignerons have had in growing and producing wine.
- The third is an emblematic Shiraz producer called Penfolds Grange, which is highly valued by wine aficionados from all over the world.
- The fourth is the diversity of styles that can be found locally thanks to a wide range of terroir and climate, as well as the rise of new locations as promising as Heathcote. The 500-million-year-old Cambrian greenstone, an igneous rock that can be found in the Heathcote region, has weathered into a vibrant red soil that, together with the climatic circumstances, appears capable of becoming the greatest location for planting Shiraz in Australia.
Other opportunities and anticipated developments for Australian Shiraz
Another emerging opportunity for the Shiraz grape variety is the capacity to differentiate its clones. Even if importations may have increased clonal variety, the origin of each one can be clearly identified.
Finally, it is worth noting the quick success of Shiraz-Viognier blends from Australia’s cooler temperature zones.
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