Archive July 13, 2007

Sparkling Surprise

A couple weeks ago I had the absolute pleasure of sampling a Sparkling Shiraz. I couldn't get over the amazing deep purple color with fun little bubbles in my glass. I had no idea what to expect as I tasted it. I was blown away by the incredible taste. Why hadn't I tried this before? I feel so "behind the times" as Australia has been making sparkling reds for over 80 years.

It's basically the same process of making regular Sparkling Wines but instead of using Chardonnay or Pinot grapes, big red grape like Shiraz are used (Cabernet, Malbec and Merlot are also sometimes used). You're getting the crisp refreshing aspect of the Sparkling Wine with all the intense flavors of a Shiraz. In other words, you're getting a gorgeous dark purple glass of sparkling wine that tastes like blackberries, black cherries, chocolate, plum jam and a black pepper spice. Honestly, what else could you ask for?

It's so big, it's like a meal in a glass and can be enjoyed on its own. It pairs well with some tasty foods like salads, anything BBQ-ed, turkey dishes, grilled fish and even some meat dishes (after all-it's Shiraz!).

Hardy's Shiraz Australian Sparkling Wine is an affordable and widely available one to try. It's a classic Australian style Shiraz that retails for about $17.

Rockford Black Shiraz is for those of you who want to go big and crazy. It's a pretty amazing bottle of Sparkling Shiraz that will run you over $100!

Whichever Sparkling Shiraz you try, get ready for a unique and amazing glass of Sparkling Wine. Gotta love those Aussies!

Cheers Mate!

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