Witchmount Shiraz is the world's top drop
The entrance to Witchmount Estate at Rockbank in Victoria - wines of exceptional quality [©Witchmount Estate]
An Australian Shiraz beat 384 entries from 23 countries to be crowned the best Syrah/Shiraz in the world at the Syrah du Monde wine competition in Ampuis, France.
The 2004 shiraz, from Witchmount Estate in Rockbank near Melton in Victoria, sells for just $26 a bottle. Two Australian wines made the top 10, with local wines receiving nine of the 34 gold medals awarded at the show and eight of the 92 silver medals. A total 384 Syrah/Shiraz wines from all over the world were tasted. The other Australian in the top 10 was the St Andrews Shiraz Clare Valley 2002 from Taylors/Wakefield Wines.
"Diversity and quality are the watchwords for the 2008 winners, which should come as no surprise for a grape variety currently enjoying rapid growth," a Syrah du Monde spokesman said. "Each of the wines that distinguished themselves at Syrah du Monde did so beause of thier own intrinsic quality, not in comparison with the other wines. A favourable score was given to wines with good Syrah varietal character, and well-balanced oak was considered to be a plus."
The competition has grown since its inception in 2007, with six new countries included in the 23 participating nations.
Australian medal winners were:
GOLD
Witchmount Estate Shiraz 2004
WITCHMOUNT ESTATE
St Andrews Shiraz Clare Valley 2002
TAYLORS/ WAKEFIELD WINES
Nugan Estate Mc Laren Parish Shiraz 2005
NUGAN ESTATE PTY LTD
Yellow Tail - The Reserve Shiraz 2006
CASELLA WINES
Mr HACKER Jorg
St Andrews Shiraz - Clare Valley 2003
TAYLORS/ WAKEFIELD WINES
Jacob's Creek Centenary Hill Shiraz 2004
JACOB'S CREEK WINES
Casella Estate Wratton Bully Shiraz 2005
CASELLA WINES
Jacob's Creek Sparkling Shiraz
JACOB'S CREEK WINES
Wyndham Estate Bin 555 Sparkling Shiraz
WYNDHAM ESTATE
SILVER
Yendah Shiraz Viognier Langhorne Creek 2006
CASELLA WINES
Jacob's Creek Reserve Shiraz Rosé 2007
JACOB'S CREEK WINES
George Wyndham Shiraz 2004
WYNDHAM ESTATE
Jacob's Creek Shiraz Rosé 2007
JACOB'S CREEK WINES
Barossa Shiraz - The Octavius 2004
YALUMBA VINEYARDS
Dorrien Estate Bin 1 Shiraz 2004
CELLARMASTER WINES P/L
Howard Park Scotsdale Shiraz 2005
HOWARD PARK WINES
Mc Guigan Hand Made Shiraz 2006
AUSTRALIAN VINTAGE PTY LTD
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