The classic Australian red wine
It’s difficult to overstate the importance of Shiraz to Australian wine. Shiraz is Australia’s most planted winegrape variety and is grown in most Australian wine regions. When the last national planting statistics were collected in 2015, there were around 40,000 hectares (ha) of Shiraz, ranking Australia second behind France (60,000 ha) and well ahead of third-placed Spain (20,000 ha).
Australia is home to the world’s oldest continuously productive Shiraz vines, with some of the oldest plantings believed to date back to 1843 (Langmeil, Barossa, South Australia), 1847 (Turkey Flat, Barossa) and 1860 (Tahbilk, Nagambie Lakes, Victoria). These ungrafted, pre-phylloxera vines produce small crops of grapes with intensely concentrated flavours..
Shiraz (Syrah) Varietal Snapshot 2023-24
Variety snapshots are one-page profiles of individual Australian winegrape varieties and provide at-a-glance summary statistics on: viticulture data, winegrape production, winegrape price, key producing regions and export sales data compared against the same statistics for all wine grape varieties.
Download nowIn the vineyard
- Shiraz is Australia’s best known and most widely planted variety
- Grown in virtually every wine region in Australia
- Shiraz is relatively adaptable and can be grown in moderate to cool regions as well as warm areas
In the winery
- Vinification techniques vary depending on style and quality
- Whole bunch use has increased – destemming still very common
- Shiraz partners well with several other varieties. The classic blend of Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvedre (GSM) in varying proportions has a long tradition, as does the Shiraz Cabernet blend
- Co-fermenting a small proportion of Viognier with Shiraz has led to the trendy Shiraz Viognier style
- Oak use common for maturation
- Less reliance on new oak especially American, more use of French oak and combinations of different oak types for complexity
- Use of older barrels for subtlety – some fresh, early-drinking styles see no oak at all
Major regional expressions
Barossa Valley
- The is one of Australia’s oldest and best known regions for Shiraz
- Barossa is home to some of the oldest Shiraz vines in the world – Langmeil Freedom vineyard is believed to have been planted in 1843 and is still producing today
- Barossa Shiraz is one of the most widely available and best-known red wines in the global market
- It is an important variety in the classic Shiraz-Cabernet and GSM blends
- Full-bodied, richly textured wines with blackberry, pepper and spice characters
Clare Valley
- The Clare Valley is known for Riesling but the paradox is that Shiraz also thrives in this region
- The warm days are ideal for the development of rich Shiraz flavours and the consistently cool nights aid in acid retention
- Full-bodied richly textured wines with typical flavours of blackberry, black cherry, plum and licorice
Eden Valley
- Eden Valley is part of the greater Barossa Zone
- Vineyards sit at higher altitudes which affects the growing conditions and style of wine
- Harvest takes place up to two weeks later that the Barossa Valley
- Henschke Hill of Grace is located in this region
- Medium to full-bodied wines with classic blackberry, sage and pepper notes
Heathcote
- Shiraz is ideally suited to this region and is the most planted variety
- Shiraz thrives in the ancient Cambrian soils which are over 500 million years old
- The weight and texture of the best wines is similar to Barossa but the flavour profile is very different
- Medium to full-bodied wines with rich dark fruit and spice and an iron-like minerality
Hunter Valley
- The Hunter Valley is Australia’s oldest wine producing region
- Shiraz is one of the signature grapes of the region but the style is decidedly different to other famous regions such as Barossa and McLaren Vale
- The growing season is warm and condensed but without big heat spikes
- The wines are typically medium-bodied with red fruit and savoury characters
McLaren Vale
- Temperatures in McLaren Vale are affected by the proximity of the sea – a classic Mediterranean climate
- Shiraz is the most planted red variety and considered to be the signature grape of the region
- Typically full-bodied wines with rich blueberry fruit and chocolate character
In the glass
Style and character
Pairs with
Charcuterie, grilled and roasted meats (lamb, beef and game), stews and casseroles, firm, aged cheeses.