WILLUNGA 100 SHIRAZ/VIOGNIER MCLAREN VALE 2006

You will see quite a lot of this blend popping up on shelves and menus around the country .  Far from it being a new blend, the French have been using this blend in Côte Rôtie which is considered one of the oldest vineyards in France, however it is a relatively new and definitely trendy blend in the New World. To be precise it is not an actual blend as the grapes are actually co-fermented together rather than the juice being blended together.

The Viognier(5%) being a white wine grape variety is intended to add fragrance to the Shiraz(95%)and complexity. It is also meant to add vibrancy to the colour which we can definitely see with the Willunga which is nearly purple in appearance. It has a deceptively sweetspiciness on the nose with some christmas pudding fruits also evident. In the mouth it is quite dry with liquorice and dark fruits.

I personally think of this as a food wine and needs full-flavoured foods such as stroganoffs or cured meats although we did have it recently at a family birthday with a lasagne which was pretty delicious. Also remember it is McLaren Vale so if you are expecting a big sweet Barossa shiraz you might be disappointed as it is drier and definitely more serious than most Aussie's Shiraz

Till next time
Clare