We recommend that you use Visa, MasterCard or direct PayPal debit. Due to a PayPal limitation, if you pay with American Express or Discover, your payment will be subject to additional fees.

Annual Shiraz Tasting, March 18, 2008 

In France it is Syrah, in Australia, Shiraz. Syrah, a most noble grape, ranks with Cabernet Sauvignon, producing generous red wines with a wide range of styles, depending on where it is grown, the type of oak used and the age of the vines. 

The Australians planted Syrah in the mid-1800’s, when it was deemed a worker grape, used to produce in-expensive, every-day drinking wines, with body and flavour. As Australia took on the challenge of producing world-class wines, Shiraz became the country’s greatest expression of wine-making in the form of such wines as Penfold’s Grange. 

There are four basic styles of Australian Shiraz; The black-peppery spice of Central and Southern Victoria; the concentrated dense reds of the Barossa Valley, like Grange: the smooth minty styles Connawarra and the Clare Valley, near Adelaide; and the more velvety style from the Hunter Valley. For March 18^th, Cellar Master, John Macdonald, has selected eight super-Shirazes that represent some of the best Australia produces, including an awesome 1995 Jim Barry “Armagh”, from the Clare Valley. 

The evening’s tasting will be led by our guest, David Churchill, from LCBO Vintages. David is returning to bring his knowledge and experiences of these great wines. 

Here’s the Shiraz line-up that John Macdonald has selected to taste.

• 1995     Jim Barry - The Armagh – Clare Valley
• 1995     Rosemount Estate
• 1997     Rosemont Balmoral - McLaren Vale
• 1997     Leasingham Classic Clare – Clare Valley
• 1999     Hardy’s Tintara – McLaren Vale
• 2000     Jim Barry - The McRae Wood – Clare Valley
• 2000     Rosemount Balmoral – McLaren Vale
• 2000     Hardy’s Tintara Reserve – McLaren Vale

We are returning to the Albany Club, site of this year’s Australia Day, with an expectation of a sell-out event. We recommend reserving early. There will be crackers, cheese and breads to accompany the tasting, followed by a small personal plate of Amuses.

See our website for more information on this event and the AWS.

You can also join the AWS or renew your membership online, and you're entitled to the member price for this event as long as we receive your membership payment before the event.