“Hola!” to George Wyndham Shiraz Tempranillo

New Zealand says “Hola!” to George Wyndham Shiraz Tempranillo

17 April 2009

George Wyndham made history in 1830 when he planted Australia’s first commercial Shiraz vineyard. His legacy continues today as a new George Wyndham wine is launched in New Zealand, the 2007 George Wyndham Adelaide Hills/Barossa Shiraz Tempranillo.

Tempranillo from Spain (and Rioja in particular) is growing strongly in the world’s largest wine markets and is now grown in many Australian wine regions. New plantings over the past five years are just beginning to bear. In fact, on a percentage growth basis, Tempranillo is growing in popularity more rapidly than any other red variety. Shiraz and Tempranillo are very complementary varieties when blended, offering an interesting, edgy new blend to our portfolio.

Wyndham Estate Chief Winemaker, Nigel Dolan, is thrilled with this addition to the George Wyndham portfolio. “George Wyndham Shiraz Tempranillo will help affirm Wyndham Estate’s position as an upscale Shiraz specialist, whilst strengthening our Shiraz footprint at the super-premium level. It will inject energy, modernity and vibrancy through an ‘in vogue’ variety.”

“Adelaide Hills produces Shiraz of elegant fruit flavours and excellent structure whilst Barossa Tempranillo shows a great richness with savoury tannins. This exciting blend combines white pepper and spice flavours from the Shiraz enhanced by black fruit characters from the Tempranillo, complemented by subtle oak. The result is a wine of great balance, softness and approachability.”

The 2007 George Wyndham Adelaide Hills/Barossa Shiraz Tempranillo received a Blue-Gold medal and Top 100 status at one of Australia’s most prestigious wine competitions. A Top 100 winner means the wine was in the top 5% of all entries.

The Sydney International Wine Competition is judged by a range of Australian and International judges who sort through approximately 2000 wines from all wine producing countries across the globe. Uniquely the final phase of judging sees the wines judged accompanied by specially created food. This is the only wine competition in the world where the winning wines are put to the test as they would be consumed by wine lovers – with carefully selected food on the plate.

The Competition, which has been running since 1982, has accreditation in the European Union and the judging panel includes many of the world’s best palates – judges this year came from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the USA.

“The inclusion of this wine into the Top 100 shows that its quality has been recognised and also how well it accompanies food. It is terrific recognition for the viticulture and winemaking teams.”

The George Wyndham Shiraz Tempranillo is available from fine wine merchants including Glengarry and First Glass with a recommended retail price of $23.95. Also available from selected restaurants.

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