Explore the World of Wines with Campbell's
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Explore the world of Wines with Campbell’s Syrah or Shiraz? Syrah (also known as shiraz) is a dark-skinned grape grown throughout the world and used primarily to produce red wine. Syrah is used as a varietal and is also blended. Following several years of strong planting, Syrah was estimated in 2004 to be the world's 7th most grown grape at 142,600 hectares (352,000 acres). DNA profiling in 1999 found Syrah to be the offspring of two obscure grapes from southeastern France, Dureza and Mondeuse blanche. Syrah should not be confused with Petite Sirah, a synonym for Durif, a cross of Syrah with Peloursin dating from 1880. Syrah has a long documented history in the Rhône region of southeastern France, but it was not known if it had originated in that region. In 1998, a study conducted by Carole Meredith's research group in the Department of Viticulture and Enology at University of California, Davis used DNA typing and extensive grape reference material from the viticultural research station in Montpellier, France to conclude that Syrah was the offspring of the grape varieties Dureza (father) and Mondeuse blanche (mother). Dureza, a dark-skinned grape variety from the Ardèche region in France, has all but disappeared from the vineyards, and the preservation of such varieties is a speciality of Montpellier. Mondeuse blanche is a white grape variety cultivated in the Savoy region, and is still found in very small amounts in that region's vineyards today. Both varieties are somewhat obscure today, and have never achieved anything near Syrah's fame or popularity, and there is no record of them ever having been cultivated at long distances from their present homes. Thus, both of Syrah's parents come from a limited area in southeastern France, very close to northern Rhône. Based on these findings, the researchers have concluded Syrah originated from northern Rhône. The legend connecting Syrah with the city of Shiraz in Iran may, however, be of French origin. James Busby wrote in Journal of a recent visit to the principal vineyards of Spain and France that the 1826 book Œnologie Française, "stated that, according to the CAMPBELL LIQUOR STORE Tel (780) 419.3444 October 1 8 th & 19th, 2013 http://www.campbell-liquor.ca/ 3 Curial Drive, St. Albert, AB * Price correct at time of printing. [email protected] Page 1 of 6 * Price subject to change without notice. tradition of the neighbourhood, the plant [Scyras] was originally brought from Shiraz in Persia, by one of the hermits of the mountain". Since the name Shiraz has been used primarily in Australia in modern times, while the earliest Australian documents use the spelling "Scyras", the name Shiraz has been speculated (among others by Jancis Robinson) to be in fact a so-called "strinization" of Syrah's name via Scyras. However, while the names Shiraz and Hermitage gradually seem to have replaced Scyras in Australia from the mid-19th century, the spelling Shiraz has also been documented in British sources back to at least the 1830s. So, while the name or spelling Shiraz may be an effect of the English language on a French name, there is no evidence that it actually originated in Australia, although it was definitely the Australian usage and the Australian wines that made the use of this name popular. Arrival in Australia In 1831, the Scotsman James Busby, often called "the Father of Australian viticulture", made a trip back to Europe to collect cuttings from vines (primarily from France and Spain) for introduction to Australia. One of the varieties collected by him was Syrah, although Busby used the two spellings "Scyras" and "Ciras". The cuttings were planted in the Sydney Botanical Gardens, and in Hunter Region, and in 1839 brought from Sydney to South Australia. By the 1860s, Syrah was established as an important variety in Australia. The Syrah-dominated appellations (AOCs) of northern Rhône have, like most other French appellations and regions, no tradition of varietal labelling of their wines. Indeed, such practices are generally disallowed under AOC rules, and only the AOC name (such as Cote-Rotie, Crozes-Hermitage or Hermitage) appears on the label. Varietal labelling of Syrah/Shiraz wines is therefore a practice which has emerged in the New World, and primarily in Australia. As a general rule, most Australian and South African wines are labelled Shiraz, and most European wines (from such regions where varietal labelling is practiced) are labelled Syrah. In other countries, practices vary and winemakers (or wine marketers) sometimes choose either Syrah or Shiraz to signify a stylistic difference in the wine they have made. "Syrah"-labelled wines are sometimes thought to be more similar to classic Northern Rhône reds; presumably more elegant, tannic, smoke-flavoured and restrained with respect to their fruit component. "Shiraz"-labelled wines, on the other hand, would then be more similar to archetypical Australian or other New World examples; presumably made from riper berries, more fruit-driven, higher in alcohol, less obviously tannic, peppery rather than smokey, usually more easily approached when young, and possibly slightly sweetish in impression. It must however be realized that this rule of 1 thumb is unevenly applied. 1 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrah CAMPBELL LIQUOR STORE Tel (780) 419.3444 October 1 8 th & 19th, 2013 http://www.campbell-liquor.ca/ 3 Curial Drive, St. Albert, AB * Price correct at time of printing. [email protected] Page 2 of 6 * Price subject to change without notice. Chateau Camplazens Syrah IGP CSPC: 725970 Price: $17.95* The Close Family Mission is to develop the potential of Camplazens to produce wines which are truly World Class and which best express the savours and aromas of this very special microclimate. Chateau Camplazens was acquired in 2001, A boutique vineyard and a jewel on La Clape in the heart of Languedoc in Southern France, however, it was not the stunning natural beauty of this very special place which was the main attraction, it was the wine itself. Regions: Vin de Pays d'Oc, France Description: Camplazens Syrah is now widely recognized as a superb example of how the elegance and peppery intensity of the Syrah grape can combine to give a delightful wine to complement a broad range of dishes. Tasting Notes: This delicious, beautifully balanced multi award winning single varietal red wine exhibits rich dark berry fruit, white pepper, spice and fragrant notes of liquorice and cocoa, orange peel, herbs and violets. Well balanced with many complex layers of subtle tannins and good acidity ensuring continuing smoothness and a silky lingering finish. Nugan Mclaren Vale Shiraz CSPC: 718165 Price: $24.50* Nugan Estate is a premium producer of estate grown wine based in Griffith, New South Wales. It is part of the Nugan Group, which was founded in 1940 on fruit and vegetable packing and expanded in the 1970s into juice production – later becoming one of the largest exporters of niche juice products to Asia. This success resulted in our CEO, Michelle Nugan, being recognised as a Telstra Business Woman of the Year and Australian Export Hero. In 1993 Nugan Group further diversified its operations planting vineyards and selling fruit under contract. From there, winemaking was a natural progression. Today Nugan Estate owns 590 hectares of vineyards in Australia’s finest wine growing regions of Riverina, King Valley and McLaren Vale – making it the 18th largest vineyard holders in Australia. In addition, Nugan Estate sources premium quality grape from the renowned Coonawarra region. Family operated by Michelle, Matthew and Tiffany Nugan, Nugan Estate is one of Australia’s Top 20 Wine Exporters and is complemented by a premium wine portfolio, extra virgin olive oil and the award winning Griffith restaurant, Michelin. Nugan Estate owns McLaren Parish Vineyard in McLaren Vale and uses its premium fruit to craft its award winning Nugan Estate McLaren Parish Shiraz. CAMPBELL LIQUOR STORE Tel (780) 419.3444 October 1 8 th & 19th, 2013 http://www.campbell-liquor.ca/ 3 Curial Drive, St. Albert, AB * Price correct at time of printing. [email protected] Page 3 of 6 * Price subject to change without notice. This Shiraz is typical of good McLaren Vale Shiraz consistently displaying ripeness, elegance, structure, power and complexity. Varietal/s: Shiraz Region/s: McLaren Vale, South Australia Winemaking: This Shiraz is sourced from our McLaren Parish Vineyard in the classic Shiraz region of McLaren Vale, South Australia. In terms of quality, the 2010 vintage was very good, with cool and dry conditions during berry ripening were conducive to excellent flavour, colour and phenolic development. After harvest, the grapes were crushed, yeasted and pumped over in traditional style to avoid the extraction of bitter tannins. The wine was then transferred to new and seasoned French and American oak for fermentation, followed by a further 16 months maturation prior to final blending and bottling. Winemaker’s Comments: Deep crimson with a youthful purple hue. Aromas of glace cherry and poached blood plum melded with dark chocolate, leather vanillin and all-spice. A rich and full bodied wine displaying powerful concentration of juicy dark plum, dark chocolate, black pepper and earth. Wine & Food Match: This Shiraz should be enjoyed with hearty red meat dishes such as Beef Burgundy or Osso Buco. Dirty Laundry Kay-Syrah CSPC: 231506 Price: $33.95* Dirty Laundry Vineyard is a small but growing winery in Summerland, BC located high above the original town site, on a plateau that enjoys an ideal microclimate and excellent sun exposure for growing exceptional grapes. We have a beautiful picnic patio with an amazing vista, entertainment, gift shop award winning wines and a story to tell.