9 Beautiful Bottles of Shiraz you have to try!

Words by Colin Hampden-White

Shiraz is a grape variety that is a little misunderstood I feel. Most will know what they will get from a Shiraz. Something bold, sometimes a little jammy and a touch sweet, but always full of fruit.

Shiraz is Syrah by another name. Some think that it originated in Shiraz in Iran, but in fact, the grapes from that area are completely different and we now know the variety probably originated in Southwestern France. However, today in Europe, Shiraz is mostly called Syrah, and in the new world of wine (areas outside of Europe with a couple of exceptions), Syrah is mostly known as Shiraz.

Wherever it is being grown, there are some great wines being created so here are a few of my favourites. I’m going to start at a price point that’s affordable for most, up to some very special occasion wines from some of the best that Australia has to offer.

Outback Jack Shiraz 2020 Berton Vineyard

Hailing from South Eastern Australia comes this very good value for money wine. It’s big and bold, but the tannins are rounded and smooth. There are lots of red fruits and well-balanced oak. Ideally, I’d let this wine age for a year or two, but with a big old BBQ it will drink very well. I’d chill it a little if you’re drinking it in the midday sun, as the flavours are full enough to handle it and that little cooling will take the effect of the alcohol on the nose down and let the fruit shine.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14%
Find here: £8.95

Pete’s Pure Shiraz 2019 

Coming from New South Wales in Australia, this is a little less bold than The Outback Jack, but still not a shy wine. The flavours are full and complex. With lots of blackcurrant, oaky vanilla and chocolate notes, this wine is very versatile and will pair very well with good cuts of red meat. The alcohol level is slightly lower than most Australian wines giving the feel of refined quality. It’s smooth, dry and quite soft which is great for a wine that’s ready to drink now and for the next few years.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £9.99

Grant Burge Barossa Ink Shiraz 2020

The grapes for this wine come from all over the Barossa area and the resulting wine is intense and opulent with lots of mocha flavours from the oak ageing and dark brooding fruits, like blackberry and plums. This would pair well with game or with a flame-grilled steak. Ideally, I’d decant the wine and let it breathe for an hour before drinking as this will soften the tannin and bring out the more complex flavours.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14%
Find here: £8.50

Leaps and Bounds Shiraz

From South Eastern Australia this wine is an easy-going everyday wine that is great value. Here at Amazon, it’s £9, but can be found on offer frequently. In the UK in Sainsbury’s, for example, it is now only £7. It’s a lighter-bodied Shiraz than many but still has bold flavours and will pair well with pizza, Italian dishes, charcuterie, and cheese. The dog on the label is Bob, who was a masterless dog traveling all over Australia as a companion to train drivers and the wine is inspired by friendship and a spirit of exploration.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £9

Hermann’s Vineyard Shiraz 2018 JJ Hahn 

Another full-flavored wine from the Barossa with lots of cassis, chocolate, sweet berries, and spice. There are hints of soft vanilla and ripe black forest fruits too. Well-balanced and rounded tannins and restrained use of oak make this wine fresh and vibrant leaving you wanting another sip. I’d pair this with slow-cooked lamb as the acidity in the wine will cut through any fatty meat.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14.3%
Find here: £16.45

Brokenwood Hunter Valley Shiraz 2018

2018 was a very good vintage for the Hunter Valley. Although there was little rainfall earlier in the season, heavy rains eventually came and gave the vines all they needed to create a great wine. This wine is quite aromatic and medium bodied for a Shiraz making it a very flexible wine for food pairings but it matches particularly well with cheese and venison.

Size: 750ml
ABV: £14
Find here: £26

The Dead Arm Shiraz d’Arenberg 2017

An Iconic wine. The Dead Arm is probably the best bang for buck in the world for Shiraz. A big brooding wine that takes a few years to begin to start drinking well. This one is five years old and at the beginning of its drinking window. I’m drinking vintage 2000 this year and it’s spectacular. With rich dark fruits and light spices, dark chocolate, tobacco, and a myriad of red and dark berries, this wine is always a winner. It’s on offer at Vivino now, and usually around £30 to £35.

Size: 14.5%
ABV: 750ml
Find here: £28.99

Mount Edelstone 2016 Henschke 

From the Eden Valley in Australia, this is a wine for a very special occasion. It is bold yet refined. The tannin has great structure, and the wine will pair with big bold meats, game, and strong cheeses. The Mount Edelstone vineyard was planted in 1912 and the first single vintage wine produced was in 1952. 2016 is the 64th release. There are aromas of violets and spicy aromas of black pepper and star anise mixing with plums and blackberry and soft notes of tarragon and cedar. The palate is complex and has great texture with flavours of mulberry, blackberries and plums with layers of age and black pepper. Amazingly deep and complex. It is just starting to drink well now, but will last another twenty years!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14.5%
Find here:  £131

Penfolds

Penfolds creates so many Shiraz wines at every price point that it is hard to know which ones to suggest. They are so reliable in quality and flavour at every price point I would go as far as to say that if you see a bottle of Penfolds on the shelf within your price range you won’t go wrong. My favourites are Koonunga Hill for great value at £8 to £10, Max’s (which is a blend of Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon) at around £20, Bin 128 at £35, St Henri at £85 and for something very special Magill Estate at around £120. There really is something for everyone at Penfolds!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13% - 14.8%
Find here: £8 - £120

If you’re looking for a bit more light reading, then why not check out The Best Red Wine for Roast Beef or The Most Popular Red Wine Grapes.

What Are The Most Popular Red Wine Grapes?

With so many red wines out there it’s hard to know which bottle to choose. With that in mind, we’ve created this handy guide to the most popular red wine grapes including information on their characteristics, what to pair them with and which bottles we recommend…

Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon (often colloquially known as Cab Sauv) is the world’s most popular grape, being planted in a great many wine regions around the world. The wine has brilliant aging properties thanks to its full body and tannic structure and its rich, concentrated flavours of blackcurrant, cedar and mint are a pie that everyone wants a slice of.

Where Is Cabernet Sauvignon Grown?

As previously mentioned, Cabernet Sauvignon is almost everywhere as it’s fairly robust; its thick skin helps it cope well with both heat and cold. It’s popularity globally is also thanks to its association with very famous wines such as a Château Lafite from Bordeaux. Its spiritual home is still France (especially the Bordeaux region), but the grape has taken to California, Chile and Australia in particular extremely well.

What Does Cabernet Sauvignon Taste Like?

Cabernet Sauvignon has a distinct blackcurrant and dark forest berry flavour with some sort of leafy note. Its thick skin provides a lot of tannic structure too, making it very dry and full-bodied. Depending on the region, it can also have notes of peppercorns and spices.

What To Pair With Cabernet Sauvignon:

The full-bodied nature of Cabernet Sauvignon lends itself extremely well to rich, grilled meats and dishes with high flavour, protein and fat content.

Which Cabernet Sauvignon Should I Try?

Affordable: Apothic Cabernet Sauvignon UK £9 // US $8.98
Mid-Tier (Cabernet Sauvignon Blend): Château de Janicon Graves Rouge 2018 UK £14.83
Top-End: Mt Brave UK £79 // US $99.99

Merlot

Merlot tends to make softer, more medium-bodied, fruitier wines than Cabernet Sauvignon and the two are very often blended as they complement each other so well. 

Where Is Merlot Grown?

Merlot is grown in similar regions to Cabernet Sauvignon and is the other ‘famous’ Bordeaux grape. As Merlot takes less time to ripen, it can be grown in slightly cooler climates than Cabernet Sauvignon such as Northern Italy. For juicy, fruity, warmer climate Merlots, head to Australia, California and Chile as well as regional Southern France.

What Does Merlot Taste Like?

These warmer climate Merlots are often bolder and fruitier, offering flavours such as red plum, blackberry and even vine tomato. Cooler climate Merlots are more tart, with earthy notes and often, an iodine tang. 

What To Pair With A Merlot:

Merlot is a great wine to pair with food as it is so versatile. Easy drinking, inexpensive Merlots like creamy, tomatoey sauces. An earthier, old world Merlot is delicious with roasted meats and vegetables.

Which Merlot Should I Try?

Affordable: Château Tertre De Viaud Côtes De Bourg 2016 - UK £10.92
Top-End: Château Prieurs de la Commanderie Pomerol 2016 - £39.48

Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir is one of the world’s most popular red wine grapes. It can taste like a red wine but feel like a white, so is often the red that white wine drinkers pick. It is light bodied and elegant, with high acidity and very low tannin, coupled with a beautiful silky texture and classic flavour profile of spiced cherry, raspberry compote and earth.

Where Is Pinot Noir Grown?

Pinot Noir loves a cool climate and you can now find incredible bottles from many places around the globe. France produces a huge amount of it, with the majority coming from Burgundy, and since the 1990s, Germany has also been producing some stunning bottles, only here they tend to call it Spatburgunder. The USA has some very exciting styles coming out of Oregon and coastal California, and although not as widely known, there are many other countries around the world that produce some very good Pinot too, including the UK, New Zealand, Austria and Romania to name a few! If it’s a cool region, Pinot will do well. 

What To Pair With Pinot Noir:

Given its higher acidity and its low tannin, Pinot Noir pairs really well with many different dishes. For the lighter, fruitier versions, try it with fleshy fish like salmon, or chicken, whereas bolder Pinot Noirs such as those from Chile or New Zealand work really well with pork, duck, beef stews and mushrooms.

Which Pinot Noir Should I Try?

Affordable: Sanziana Pinot Noir Recas Cramele UK £8.50
Mid Tier: Sebastiani UK £25 // US $14.99
Top-End: Volnay Domaine Cyrot-Buthiau 2017 UK £35.95

Syrah

You might know this grape better as Shiraz; the Australian name for their most planted grape, but the two are technically the same, although the Shiraz style has morphed away from the Syrah style, hence the two names. These dark and brooding wines have wonderful aging capabilities and are excellent with all sorts of foods.

Where Is Syrah Grown?

Syrah thrives in warm and dry climates, which explains its massive success in Australia. However, the grape’s spiritual home is on the rocky, gravelly hillsides of the Northern Rhone region in France. California has also done well with the Syrah grape, though it is often left in the shadow of the ever popular Californian Cabernet Sauvignon.

What Does Syrah Taste Like?

Syrah creates powerful, full-bodied wines chock full of dark, plum fruit flavours, dried herbs and pepper. In the Southern Rhone valley in France, Syrah is a key component in famous blends such as Cotes-du-Rhone and Chateauneuf du Pape. New World Syrahs are often spicier and more fruit driven than Old World Syrahs, which offer more herbaceous notes and higher acidity. 

What To Pair With Syrah/Shiraz:

The punch of Syrah can sometimes be too much for foods with more delicate flavours, so pairing these wines with meaty and peppery dishes is the way to go. With an Australian Shiraz, don’t stray too far from the meaty flavours, however, the herbaceous, European Syrah is perfect for vegetables and game. A Californian Syrah is a good middle ground.

Which Syrah should I Try?

Affordable: McGuigan Reserve Shiraz UK £6
Mid-Tier: Penfolds Bin 28 Kalimna Shiraz UK £29.95 // US $27.99
Top-End: Mclaren Vale Yangarra Estate Ironheart Shiraz £89.97 // US $32.99

Malbec

Malbec is a grape with a rich history and a rich flavour. Though sometimes chosen as a better value substitute for Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec deserves its place on the list of most popular wine grapes.

Where Is Malbec Grown?

While Argentina’s pride and joy, the Malbec grape actually originated in South West France. Its move to a warmer, sunnier country by a hopeful French botanist allowed it to shine in a way it never had done in France before. Malbec loves altitude and thrives on the sunny slopes of Mendoza in Argentina and although this country now grows 70% of the world’s Malbec, the grape can still be found in its French home in the famous, black wines of Cahors and is becoming slowly more widespread in other New World regions such as New Zealand and Australia.

What Does Malbec Taste Like?

Classic Malbec is all about blueberry, raspberry and chocolate. It’s bold but often very smooth and with a bit of age can also offer more complex, savoury, leathery notes.

What To Pair With Malbec:

As you may suspect, an Argentinian Malbec loves a good steak! It’s a sure fire winner at any grill or barbecue and works very nicely with hard cow cheese too. It’s another one that can handle grilled veg well.

Which Malbec Should I Try?

Affordable: Tesco Finest Argentinian Malbec £8
Mid-Tier: Bramare Malbec Lujan de Cuyo UK £29.24 // US $39.99
Top-End: Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino US $149.99

Grenache

Grenache is not only known for its red wines, but also for the deep rosés that it can create. Its fruity nature (especially in its rosés) is very approachable and dangerously drinkable! A Grenache is a great pick with or without food.

Where Is Grenache Grown?

Unlike many of the grapes on this list, Grenache didn’t actually originate in France. Though it’s now planted all over France’s Southern Rhône region, Grenache originated in Spain (where it is labelled as Garnacha)! It’s not as widely grown in the New World as a Cabernet Sauvignon or a Merlot and its acreage has been sharply dropping in the past few decades (sad face).

What Does Grenache Taste Like?

Grenache’s fruity flavour is made up of its notes of strawberry and cinnamon, though depending on where the grape is grown, it can also produce notes of orange and grapefruit. 

What To Pair With A Grenache:

Though it’s definitely a winner with most grilled meats, lean towards something leaner with Grenache, such as lamb. It’s not just meat that you want to pair with Grenache, anything spicy or herbaceous is perfect with this fruity wine.

Which Grenache Should I Try?

Affordable: Waitrose Cotes du Rhone Villages £7.99
Mid-Tier: Anayón Garnacha £17.19
Top-End: Orin Swift 'Abstract' UK £39.99 // US $37.99

Tempranillo

There’s no doubt that Tempranillo (tem-pran-ee-o) is Spain’s favourite red grape, and its versatile flavour profile and texture makes it a treat for pairing with food. It’s most commonly known in its guise as Rioja (In Spain, the wine is often named after the region) but Tempranillo can be found all over Spain. If you’re planning a tapas night anytime soon, be sure to pick up a bottle of Tempranillo - you won’t regret it!

Where Is Tempranillo Grown?

Again, this grape is Spain through and through. Over 80% of the world’s Tempranillo comes from Spain but it has tiptoed its way across the border and is now fairly common in other countries like Portugal. Australia has also been experimenting with this grape, as it enjoys similar conditions to the old favourite, Aussie Shiraz. 

What Does Tempranillo Taste Like?

Tempranillo is simultaneously earthy and fruity, with notes of leather, strawberry cherry and spice. An Australian Tempranillo offers more chocolatey notes, sometimes even being juicer than a Spanish variant. It’s worth trying both New World and Old World Tempranillos to discover your favourites.

What To Pair With Tempranillo:

A fresh, young (‘joven’) Tempranillo is delicious alongside pasta and tomato dishes, whereas a bolder Tempranillo is more suited to meaty dishes. It’s all about trying what works for you and what doesn’t.

Which Tempranillo Should I Try?

Affordable: Finca Besaya Crianza 2017 UK: £9.99
Mid-Tier: Altos de Baroja Rioja Joven £10.75
Top-End:  Marqués de Murrieta Gran Reserva Rioja £50.50

Looking for more wine content? How about having a read of The Best Places in the UK to Drink English Wine or Cheap Champagne that Tastes Great.