Aussie reds for autumn
This month I tasted the Penfolds range of wines with Chief Winemaker Peter Gago via Zoom from Australia. It was a stunning line-up and reminded me why my first wine love, Australian Shiraz, is the perfect red for autumn. With smoky flourishes, Shiraz is lush with dark, delicious fruit that’s silkier than a mulberry in Lycra. Happily Australia has a bunch of decent drops for spicing up these cooler days.
OLLY’S PICK OF THE SHIRAZ
Jam Shed Shiraz 2020 (13.5%), £7.75, Morrisons. For a crowd-pleaser, this sweet, gluggable red is a no-brainer bargain.
Berton Vineyard The Black Shiraz 2020 (14.5%), £8.25, Co-Op. Full throttle bottle! An opulent, excellent-value red with a memorable label, too.
Château Tanunda Grand Barossa Shiraz 2019 (14.9%), £15, Sainsbury’s. Massive red with the spice of a peppercorn the size of Mars. Warming, bold.
Penfolds Bin 28, Kalimna Shiraz 2017 (14.5%), Majestic, £24.99. Luscious red with fully laden black fruit and liquorice layers. Sumptuous and iconic.
WINE OF THE WEEK
Specially Selected South Australia Shiraz 2019 (14.5%), £5.99, Aldi. At the price, this winner will transform your wine glass into a goblet of glory.
This article was originally published in YOU Magazine, Mail on Sunday, 26th September 2021 – Prices, stockists and vintages correct at time of publication.
