Date: Fri 26-Mar-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: MELISS

Quick Words:

Wisdom-Small-Syrah-Shiraz

Full Text:

WINE WISDOM : Wines As Bright As Easter Eggs

By Steve Small

As we all anxiously await the arrival of warmer weather, our thoughts also

turn to colored eggs, chocolate bunnies and jelly beans. While our children

happily enjoy their treats from the Easter bunny, we will be busy cooking,

cleaning, and preparing for another large holiday meal. To match this meal, my

thoughts have turned to a grape called Syrah, or Shiraz if you are from

Australia.

Syrah is a red grape that was originally known for its use in the Rhone Valley

of France. It is commonly blended with other red grapes in well-known wines

like Chateauneuf-du-Pape and Cotes-du-Rhone. Most Cotes-du-Rhone wines are

sold for about $10 a bottle or less.

Popular producers of good quality Cotes-du-Rhone include Georges DuBoeuf,

Guigal and Jaboulet. These red wines are excellent complements to a meal. They

are medium-bodied, moderately dry, and enjoyable without overpowering the

taste of your meal.

With a tip of the hat to their French counterparts, California wine makers

began experimenting with wines made from Syrah. Some of the more notable

wineries include Bonny Doon, Joseph Phelps, Clinc, and R.H. Phillips. Many of

the California wines using Syrah really emphasize the berry-like fruit flavor

in their wines. Generally the French wines from the Rhone tend to be drier.

The California winemakers making Rhone style red wines are sometimes referred

to as the Rhone Rangers.

For some reason, the Australians call it Shiraz. Same grape, different name.

It is one of the most widely grown grapes in Australia. Australian Shiraz can

range from the excellent value of Banrock Station at around $7 a bottle to the

rare and collectible Penfolds Grange that sells for well over $100 a bottle.

You can also find Shiraz blended with Cabernet. Shiraz that I enjoy really

emphasizes the bright fruit flavors that can be found in the grape.

Needless to say, whether it is Syrah or Shiraz, I feel it would be a tasty and

different match with your Easter ham. If Spring really does arrive, it makes a

fine barbecue red to boot!

Steve's Sip of the Month: Steele Pinot Blanc. If you have never tasted the

white wines of wine maker Jed Steele, do yourself a favor and try them. They

are packed with flavor and complexity, and sell for around $20 a bottle.

(Steve Small is the proprietor of Steve's Liquor Store, in Ricky's Shopping

Center at 71 Main Street South in Newtown.)