The Barossa Valley Wine Shiraz

The Barossa Valley Wine Shiraz

The Barossa Valley Wine Shiraz - is an Australian classic. These big wines deliver great gulps of ripe fruity flavor, usually centered on dark plums and cherries with a slice of licorice and other spices that some liken to Christmas pudding. Tannins are mostly subdued, nevertheless the wines have a record of aging beautifully for many years, and often decades. The best ones from this warm region in South Australia always seem to be delicately balanced despite their sheer size and weight

• The Soil

In the Barossa Valley the soil is well drained, stony and lean with a long growing season and intermittent rains. In short, perfect for grapes, particularly red. Basket press Shiraz has become a local specialty and some of the newer wineries make a point of aquiring old presses to vint dark, well extracted, tannic wines for long cellaring. Because of the ripeness of the fruit, tannins are softly integrated making it allowable to enjoy these Shiraz early on, but also allowing the opportunity to cellar them.

• Wineries

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.
This list from foodference.com shows most of the better known Shiraz makers:
P. Lehmann
St Hallett
Yalumba
Grant Burge
Barossa Valley Estates
Greenoch Creek

• Accommodation Barossa
  

The Barossa Valley Accomodation ranges from the boutique style Barossa Shiraz Estate to the hugely popular Novatel Barossa Resort.

Barossa Valley Wines

Barossa Valley Wines
In a valley formed by the North Para River, ‘The Barossa” valley is a major wine-producing region and tourist destination of South Australia, 60 km NE of Adelaide. POP is about 20,000, most of whom live in Tanunda, Nuriootpa, Angaston, Williamstown and Lyndoch, each having over 1000 people, with a few smaller towns such as Mount Pleasant, Moculta and Springton.

• History

Named from the Barossa Ranges, by Colonel William Light in 1837; in memory of the British victory over the French in the Battle of Barrosa

• Wine Industry

The wine industry is the main source of employment for most residents and the many hectares of vineyard are the most distinctive feature of the area(View from Mengler's Hill lookout)

• Vintage Festival

The success of the wine industry has historically been celebrated every two years (odd numbers) with the week-long Vintage Festival and it draws visitors from all over the world with entertainment for all tastes; including a huge street parade, concerts and gourmet dining.

• Grape Varieties

The Barossa Valley is primarily known for its red wine, in particular Shiraz (Syrah). Usually, large proportions of Barossa Shiraz is used in Penfolds Grange (Australia's most famous wine). Henschke Hill of Grace is also a Barossa Shiraz. Other varieties grown in the region include Riesling, Semillon, Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon, all go to make up the Barossa Valley wines.

• See and Do

* Visit Wineries. Famous wines, many internationally known.

* Barossa Under the Stars. Concert held in an open-air picnic setting.

* Tour Down Under. A professional cycling racing race featuring some of the world's top riders. Race starts on the third Tuesday of January each year.

* Maggie Beer Farm Shop. Maggie Beer is a local chef who presents cooking demonstrations on national. The farm shop sells a range of fine foods.

* Whispering Wall. via Yettie Road, Williamstown. A dam built to create the Barossa Valley reservoir in 1903, that has an unusual design and quality of build that allows people to whisper against one end of the dam wall, and be heard perfectly at the other end 144 metres away.

* Menglers Hill Lookout east of Tanunda. On a clear summers day, it offers stunning and unparalleled views of the entire Valley.