Black Varieties

Question 1

Bonarda

Answer 1

Late ripening, deeply coloured, high acidity, high tannin.

Question 2

What are Syrah/Shiraz grapes like?

Answer 2

Similar to Cabernet Sauvignon;

small, thick, dark coloured skis

Question 3

What are Syrah/Shiraz wines like?

Answer 3

Deeply coloured, medium-high levels of tannin, medium acidity;
Full-bodied, black fruits (blackberry), dark chocolate character

Question 4

What characteristics might Syrah/Shiraz wines from moderate regions be like?

Answer 4

As well as the black fruits they may have hints of herbaceousness, smoked meat and spice (black pepper)

Question 5

What characteristics might Syrah/Shiraz from hot regions be like?

Answer 5

As well as black fruits, they may have sweet spices, liquorice

Question 6

What characteristics might premium Syrah/Shiraz gain with age?

Answer 6

Animal and vegetal complexities.

Leather, wet leaves, earth

Question 7

What climates does Syrah/Shiraz ripen best in?

Answer 7

Warm-Hot climates

Question 8

What will oak add to Syrah/Shiraz?

Answer 8

Toast, smoke, vanilla, coconut

Question 9

What is Grenache called in Spain?

Answer 9

Garnacha

Question 10

What are Grenache grapes like?

Answer 10

Large, thin skins, high sugar levels, low acidity

Question 11

What are Grenache wines like?

Answer 11

Seldom deep in colour, usually full bodied.

Typically red-fruits (strawberry, raspberry), spices (white pepper, liquorice)

Question 12

What might age add to Grenache?

Answer 12

Toffee, leather

Question 13

What climate does Grenache need to ripen?

Answer 13

Hot

Question 14

What are Grenache Rosé’s like?

Answer 14

Thin skins easy to make rosé

Tend to be full bodied, dry, red fruit flavours (strawberry);
Some light bodied and fruity, medium sweetness
Widely used for rosé in southern Rhône, southern France and Spain
Most are best young and vibrant; very few benefit from ageing; though some aged in oak and gives orange hue and dulls fruit, but adds savoury complexity

Question 15

Why would Syrah and Grenache be blended together?

Answer 15

Similar to Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, adding Grenache to Syrah can result in wine with more alcohol, lower tannin and acidity, adds red fruit and extra spice

Adding Syrah to Grenache boosts tannin, acidity and adds dark fruits

Syrah however can make a satisfying wine when 100% more so than a Cab Sav might

Question 16

What is an Australian Shiraz-Grenache blend typically like?

Answer 16

Full-bodied, fruity, soft tannins, also idea served chilled

Question 17

What are GSM’s?

Answer 17

Grenache, Shiraz, Mataro (Mourvèdre)

Question 18

Why might Southern Rhone producers blend Mourvèdre or Cinsault to a Grenach-Syrah blend?

Answer 18

Mourvèdre or Cinsault might contribute to character;

Also as they are give high yields and are cheap or easy to grow

Question 19

What are some of the Premium Syrah and Grenache regions?

Answer 19

The Northern Rhone
The Southern Rhone
South of France
Spain
Australia

Also grown in South Africa, California, Washington State, Hawke’s Bay NZ, San Antonio Chile,

Question 20

Where are some of the bulk production regions for Grenache/Syrah

Answer 20

Cotes du Rhone appellation wines;

South of France: Pays d’Oc IGP and Languedoc AC;

Spain - Grenache led

Riverland, Murray-Darling, Riverina - inexpensive Shiraz (names do not appear on labels, will appear as South Eastern Oz)