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Wine Pairings:
All Wines Love a Good Complement
Shiraz
SERVING INSTRUCTIONS
a. This bottle can be opened right before you intend to serve it, but can usually benefit from opening it an hour or so before drinking to give it a little time to breathe and mellow a bit.
b. The wine should be served at a cool room temperature. Wine should never be served warm which could make it seem too alcoholic tasting (or, in winespeak “hot”) and diminish the fruit flavors.
GENERAL WINE DESCRIPTION
a. Shiraz styles can vary from fairly light-bodied to extremely full-bodied. They can also be powerful and tannic but balanced by big fruit flavors. A “tannic” quality is that dry and puckery sensation primarily on the tongue and inside the cheeks.
b. Shiraz is the Australian name for the Syrah grape.
c. These wines are usually deeply colored. Lighter styles may have more of a red tinge while the fuller bodied styles are usually a deep inky purple.
TYPICAL IMPRESSIONS
Black Pepper
Spice
Smoke
Tar
Blackberry
Plum
Currant
Licorice
Mint
Eucalyptus
You may want to check to see if there is a flavor description on the back label of the wine bottle --and see if your description agrees. This point of reference can be a good way to start building wine vocabulary for beginners.
FOOD PAIRING
a. Shiraz pairs nicely with dishes that complement its fruit and spicy qualities. It is often a nice match for spicy Mexican, Cajun and Barbeque dishes.
b. If the Shiraz is not too tannic and full-bodied it can be a good red wine for sipping, perfect for cocktails when no food is served.
c. This can be a very food-friendly wine. Lighter styles can be quite good with simple grilled shrimp dishes (Just throw some shrimp on the Barbie!). The fruit and spicy qualities can be brought out by dishes such as a rich beef stew cooked with red wine, pasta arrabiata, and even pizza. Steak au poivre is an excellent match for a full-bodied tannic Shiraz.
SERVING INSTRUCTIONS
a. Open this bottle right before serving to keep its fresh, fruity taste.
b. The wine should be served well chilled, leaving it in the refrigerator for about 3 hours. The bottle should cold to the touch. This "hard chill" should keep the fruit flavors refreshing instead of cloying and sweet.
GENERAL WINE DESCRIPTION
a. Riesling styles can vary from dry to very sweet. These are usually light-bodied, refreshing and with low alcohol content, making it a natural choice for a summer wine.
b. Most Rieslings do not spend any time in oak barrels. c. Its color can range from pale yellow-green to light yellow.
TYPICAL IMPRESSIONS
Floral
Fruity
Peach
Pear
Apple
Citrus
Perfume
Honeysuckle
Honey
Lemon
Lime
Apricot
You may want to check to see if there is a flavor description on the back label of the wine bottle --and see if your description agrees.
FOOD PAIRING
a. Rieslings pair nicely with most turkey and Thanksgiving meals.
b. This is a good sipping wine, perfect for cocktails when no food is served.
c. This is a very food-friendly wine since its light and un-oaked style will not overwhelm most foods.
d. It is a nice match for spicy Asian cuisine, many light and delicate dishes, and some, not overly sweet, desserts.