Matchmaker, matchmaker…
Grant Burge “Barossa Vines” Shiraz 2005
A great date from Down Under, this earthy, spicy, full-bodied Australian should be able to handle anything coming off the barbie!
Nicely balanced and easy to like, ripe in flavor, not too robust, a great personality that many other Shiraz’ in this price range may lack.
Goes great with: Good conversation, Chargrilled Steaks, hearty Fish and Chicken dishes.
Available for $14.99
at America’s Wine Shop
Pairing wine with food: not a novel idea, but popular these days, and it helps pay off my credit card. It can get a bit precious, highlighting rarefied ingredients and parts unknown on your palate, so let’s keep it simple to start.
Everyone loves a compliment: a subtle dish pairs best with a subtle wine. Likewise, strong flavors do well with a bottle with more muscle. Hence the old adage "White-with-Chicken- and-Fish Red-with-Beef" makes some sense.
That said, Charlotte York did marry Harry Goldenblatt, and opposites attract: salty and spicy dishes go wonderfully with sweeter wines. Likewise, creamy recipes love a tart wine to cut through those layers of texture.
This holiday weekend, I will be saluting the flag with sticky fingers, courtesy of a friend’s famous ribs, and drinking Grant Burge "Barossa Vines" Shiraz 2005 ($14.99, America’s Wine Shop ). This earthy, spicy, full-bodied Australian should be able to handle anything coming off the barbie!
Sorry Veronica, I think you totally missed the mark on this one. If you’re going to recommend an Austrailian Shiraz, the story begins and ends with Jacobs Creek. It’s got more awards than you can count including Best Value from Australia over the past 10 years and is a brand that you can actually find most everywhere. Not to mention you can usually find it under $10.00 a bottle. If you’re willing to pay a few dollars more, you can get your hands on the Reserve Shiraz which is one of the only consistantly rated 90+ wines that you can buy for around $15.00 (and one of my personal favorites).
I’m sure your pick is fine, but next time I’m at my local liquor store, I’m buying a bottle of Jacob’s Creek Reserve Shiraz.