What Makes Barossa Shiraz so Good?
Tuesday, March 24th, 2009The famous Barossa wine region is a little over an hour by car north of Adelaide, South Australia’s capital. The Barossa comprises two regions, the Barossa Valley and Eden Valley.
The Barossa Valley is generally less than 400 metres above sea-level and stretches from Williamstown in the south to Kapunda and Truro in the north. The red-brown soils are more fertile than those of the Eden Valley but rainfall here can be up to 50% less. Temperatures are generally about 2 degrees warmer.
Eden Valley includes the country from Truro in the north through to Mount Pleasant in the south. It ranges between 400 metres and 600 metres above sea-level with most of the winegrowing country located in the higher, cooler, wetter sections of the region. Soils are rocky and acidic and winter rainfall is plentiful, averaging 255mm more per annum than the Barossa Valley. Temperatures are cooler therefore the growing season is longer.
There are about 550 growers in the Barossa, some of them sixth-generation Barossans. Together, they produce an average of 55,000 tonnes of grapes each vintage, harvested from over 8,000 hectares of vines.
Internationally, the Barossa is unique in that it has never suffered an outbreak of phylloxera. This means that many vineyards still thrive on their own root stocks, distinguishing the Barosssa as a wine-growing region with some of the world’s oldest vines.
While the Barossa’s 55,000 tonnes represents only about 5% of the national crush, it is premium fruit. The history of the Barossa and its disproportionate presence in the super-premium categories make it Australia’s most influential and internationally recognised wine region. And from the most recognized Australian wine region is its most recognized style, Shiraz.
The Barossa Valley is primarily known for its red wine, in particular Shiraz (Syrah). Normally large proportions of Barossa Shiraz is used in Penfolds Grange (Australia’s most famous wine).Henschke Hill of Grace is also a Barossa Shiraz.
No wonder Barossa Shiraz is revered around the world.
