Explore the World of Wines with Campbell's

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 thumb is unevenly applied.1

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. At Dirty Laundry...wine is fun!

Region: Summerland, B.C., Canada

After a long sensuous soak, this French lady surrounds herself with enticing aromas. Her attitude is a little que sera sera.

Tasting Notes She is full of aromas of lavender, white pepper, ripe berry fruits with a hint of oak & spice.

Awards Best In Show- 2012 Remax Country Fair Wine Competition

Production Notes 85% Syrah, 15% Cab Sauvignon. Alc/vol 13.5% 561 cases.

Food Pairing Notes She is a pleasure to enjoy with or without a meal. Pair with beef tenderloin, lamb, or pork roast.

Mollydooker 'The Boxer' Shiraz CSPC: 725160 Price: $29.95*

Mollydooker is an affectionate Aussie term for Left-Hander – because both Sarah and Sparky Marquis – the husband and wife winemaking team based in McLaren Vale Australia - are both lefties! Besides being left-handed, Sarah & Sparky are some of the most decorated winemakers in the world.

They have received more 94-99 point scores from Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate than other winemakers in the world. They have been awarded with five 99-point scores in the last 10 years.

Five of their wines have been chosen in the Wine Spectator’s “Top 100” and their Carnival of Love Shiraz has made the “Top 10” list (two years in a row). Sarah & Sparky have been named “Australian Winemakers of the Year”, have been chosen by Robert Parker among the “Top Wine Personalities in the World” and have been crowned “McLaren Vale’s Bushing King and Queen” a record three times.

Excerpts of the winemaking team’s tasting notes Wow, this wine is definitely punching above its weight, and no wonder - the Fruit Weight is 73%, so it is almost at Party wine level! The power of the fruit is so enjoyable. It has a massive array of flavours, and awesome intensity but the thing that really finishes the wine off is the creamy layers and smooth mouth feel. It’s so voluptuous. Peter and Andrew

Sweet, multi layered fruit, chocolate, fresh plum – a complete flavour spectrum. Excited to hold it in my mouth. Sparky

Did you notice that The Boxer is a double Mollydooker?

Technical notes

The grapes were grown on the Mollydooker vineyards in McLaren Vale.

Barrel fermented and matured in 100% American oak using 60% new and 40% one year old barrels.

Alc: 15.5% Residual sugar: 2.4g/L pH: 3.8

Marquis Fruit Weight – your guarantee of quality.

Required: 65% -70% Actual: 73% http://www.mollydookerwines.com.au/MollydookerStory/FruitWeight.aspx

Why do you do the Mollydooker shake on your wines?

It's the best way to prepare our wines for drinking. Most wines contain sulfites in order to protect them. Sulfites can cause an allergic asthma type reaction and we realize a lot of people are sensitive to them. So wherever we can we use nitrogen to protect the wine so that we can reduce the amount of sulfites. However when you use nitrogen in winemaking it compresses the flavor - if you think of flavor as a big round ball the nitrogen flattens the back end of the round ball. As soon as you do the Mollydooker Shake it releases the nitrogen and the flavor pops back out to it's full size again.

Check out the Mollydooker Shake done by Sarah & Sparky on Youtube! http://www.mollydookerwines.com.au/MollydookerShake.aspx

Planeta Syrah di Sicilia IGT CSPC: 608273 Price: $44.95*

Planeta is not just one winery, but many. The exhilarating journey begins at Sambuca di Sicilia, on an estate the Planeta family has owned since the 1600s. Here, three enthusiastic young Sicilians – Alessio, Francesca and Santi Planeta – began their winemaking venture in the mid- 1980s. The trio spent subsequent years matching the extraordinarily diverse Sicilian soils with both indigenous and international grape varieties. The result? A family of critically-acclaimed wines that demonstrate how brilliance can be attained through the thoughtful marriage between grape variety and terroir.

Menfi, in the southeastern portion of Sicily, is the heart of Planeta and its operational base. Various types of soil are found here, but all are rich in lime and clay, ideal for the international red grape varieties which are transformed into wine at La Dispensa winery – Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.

Production Area: Menfi, Sicily, Italy

Grape Variety: 100% Syrah

Vinification: The grapes are de-stemmed and crushed; extraction on skins followed by 12 days of maceration at 25°C with fermentation taking place in stainless steel tanks. After racking, the wine is aged for 12 months in French oak barrels.

Appearance: Ruby red with violet undertones

Aroma: Full and rounded bouquet; intense spiciness with hints of pepper, cloves and rosemary. Overtones of cassis, coffee, fig and red fruit jam.

Taste: Fresh fruit dominates; luscious and supple in texture, with a mouth- filling character.

Serving Suggestions: Serve with roast leg of lamb, pasta with sauce of braised short rib, crown roast of pork, lamb with ginger sauce, cheeseburger with mushrooms, herb-encrusted ribs and hard aged cheese.