Give ‘popular’ Barossa shiraz another try says London Times

Richard Farmer

February 18, 2024

Don’t be afraid to give ‘popular’ another try and it’s hard to think of a more popular style than rich shiraz from the Barossa Valley. That was the advice this week of Will Lyons writing in The Times of London.

After a recent tasting of Australian wines Mr Lyons remembered the UK is still the biggest export market for Australia and shiraz remains the most popular red grape variety.

“You can see why,” he wrote. “Here in the vineyards an hour’s drive from Adelaide the wines have weight, plenty of alcohol and take on aromas such as plum and eucalyptus before filling the palate with a luscious fruity sweetness.”

Barossa Shiraz recommended in the London Times

“The popularity of shiraz has inevitably led to a backlash, but producers such as Henschke, Peter Lehmann, Charles Melton and Penfolds Grange are regarded as some of the very best in their class, with prices to match. In recent years there has been a dialling down of the use of oak and the textural weight of these wines. No longer are these estates trying to extract every ounce of flavour with an onslaught of woodiness. Producers such as Elderton and Langmeil place increasing emphasis on fruit rather than oak. They’re popular for good reason — they are some of the most alluring wines around.”

What a refreshing change to read a note about Australian red wines that does not bang on about the superior nature of the fruits of cool climates! And some more sound advice from Mr Lyons:

If I had to give one piece of advice to an aspiring wine buff, what would it be? Drink what you like, not what you think you should like. All too often, armed with a little knowledge, the aspiring oenophile begins the process of discarding wines. Prosecco? Too sweet. Pinot grigio? Too bland. Chardonnay? Too commonplace. The list goes on. Sometimes, of course, this is for very good reason — there are some horribly sweet proseccos out there — but wine is about pleasure and context, and an open mind is by far the best approach. You should never be afraid to enjoy popular wines.

Definitely in the popular category are the wines in the Glug Barossa Valley Shiraz Mix.