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Sparkling Shiraz
Sparkling Shiraz is a sparkling wine style known for blackberry, plum, spice. Its best-known homes are Australia.
Origin and history
An Australian speciality dating to the 1880s, when Edmund Mazure made 'Sparkling Burgundy' in Adelaide; Seppelt at Great Western in Victoria later made it a tradition.
Where it grows
Australia: Great Western (Grampians) in Victoria, the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale and other South Australian regions.
Structure
Medium to full body, soft tannins, fresh acidity and frothy deep-red mousse; usually off-dry, with a dosage sometimes including old Shiraz or fortified wine.
Aromas, young and aged
Young: blackberry, plum, black cherry, spice and chocolate. With age: leather, earth, savoury spice and dried fruit.
Ageing
Most within 2–5 years; top examples such as Seppelt Show Sparkling Shiraz can age 10–20 years or more.
Also known as
Sparkling Red, formerly Sparkling Burgundy.
Good to know
A traditional Australian Christmas wine; Rockford's Black Shiraz from the Barossa is a cult bottle, and most quality examples are made by the traditional method.
Similar styles
Explore all grapes in the interactive guide
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