Shiraz (aka Syrah) now rivals Merlot in popularity.  Australia put the grape onto the radar screen of wine fans who look for reds with rich, spicy character that usually won’t break the bank (We’ll save Penfold’s Grange, a $500 Shiraz, for another time).  Note that top honors in this issue tend to be pricier than others, which makes the Estancia all the more attractive at $12.

This issue serves up a snapshot from Australia, and Shiraz from other less expected sources (Argentina, anyone?) in an invitation to side-by-side comparison.  Make your next dinner party a mini-tasting.  Pick up your favorite from down under, and one from another part of the globe.  Which one speaks to you?
 
These wines are just a few of the top picks from our full Wine Hotlist tasting report (Signup is at tastingtimes.com, click on subscribe).  As always, use this list as a starting point, but don’t forget that others from the same varietal, or same region, and if possible that same vintage, are likely to offer a similar experience.  As always, use this list as a starting point, but don’t forget that others from the same region, and the same vintage, may offer a similar experience. 
 
Order of information in each review: winery, region, type of grape, vintage, country, where to find it, Price, and our enlightened (?) comments.
 
*** Australia ***

Boots, Barossa, Shiraz, 2005, Australia, $18
Smoky, spicy, opulent fruits, with flavors of Strawberries and cherry pie.  Maybe a little chocolate in there. Wow. A          

Penfolds, South Eastern Australia, Koonunga Hill, Shiraz, 2005, Australia, Generally available, $10
Plums, smoke, licorice, cherry jam, and a little pepper.  Good stuff.  To find comparable wines, look to other SE Australia Shiraz, or branch out to other syrah/shiraz-based wines from elsewhere.  B+          

*** “Elsewhere” ***

Donaria, Mendoza, Cosecha Especial, Syrah, 2004, Argentina, Warehouse Wines (Framingham), $20
A complex, layered wine with a perfume of violets, flavors of licorice and cherries, and hints of graphite and, what is that - furniture polish?  Delicious.  Organic Grapes.  A-          

(Best Bang for the Buck) Estancia, Central Coast, Shiraz, 2004, United States, Generally Available, $12
Smoky cherries, earth and cloves.  Gorgeous and distinct from Australian versions of the same grape.  For a similar experience look for other Central Coast Shiraz such as Qupe or Bonny Doone.  A-          

Graham Beck, Coastal Region, Shiraz, 2004, South Africa, Brookline Liquor Mart, $15
Cherries, spice, pepper.  Good but not great.  Australian Shiraz has a better record. B-          

*** Recipe ***
(Adapted from The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Cooking for Guys, by Tod Dimmick)
 
Wilbur Burgers
Great with mustard, even better with thinly-sliced Vidalia onion, lettuce and a slice of fresh tomato.  Run those buns through the toaster: it’s amazing the difference a crisp bun makes.
Prep time:        5 Minutes
Cook time:        10 minutes
Serves:        2 guys or 4 regular people

1 pound ground pork
1/4 cup breadcrumbs
1 egg
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Toasted hamburger buns (Trader Joes whole wheat buns add even more flavor)

In a bowl, mix the ground pork, breadcrumbs, egg, and Worcestershire sauce.  Form the mixture into patties about 1/2-inch thick and 4 inches across, and cook in a large skillet (or a grill) over medium heat, about 4 minutes per side or until cooked through.  Place each burger on a toasted bun and dress as you like, along, of course, with a glass of Shiraz.

Variation:  Use ground beef or turkey in place of the ground pork. 
 
*** Wisdom ***

And what wine is so sparkling, what so fragrant, what so
Intoxicating, as possibility!"
-- Soren Aaby Kierkegaard

***
In vino veritas,
Tod Dimmick
Editor
tastingtimes.com