Name: Penfolds
Grape: Shiraz
Region: Australia
Price: $5.99 to $350.00
There are two main winemaking styles: old world and new world. Old world winemakers are traditionalists in both the vineyard and cellar, using old techniques and believing completely in the concept of terroir, which is the sometimes disputed notion that soil can impart flavors on the wine that leave a sense of place.
New world winemakers, on the other hand, are on the cutting edge technologically and tend to favor grape varieties over soil characteristics. Australia is the undisputed leader in new world winemaking. Part of the marketing genius behind Australian wine popularity is their focus on grapes (Cabernet, Shiraz, Chardonnay) rather than place (Volnay, Chablis, Gigondas).
Penfolds is an Australian winery with a large selection of wine to choose from. Their ultra premium Grange is considered to be one of the most famous (and expensive) wines in the world, however we can buy a bottle of their Koonunga Hill Shiraz for less than ten dollars.
My challenge to you this week is to find a bottle of Penfolds Shiraz (Shiraz is Australian for Syrah), in one of their varying price points, and tell us what you think. I've scouted the city and their Shiraz is everywhere.
If you are feeling adventurous, ask your local wine shop for a good example of old world Syrah to compare. I am romantic by nature, and love the history woven into ancient practices. Modern wines tend to be manipulated: oak, acid and sugar are regularly added in extract form rather than letting barrels, weather or time create the wine naturally.
Although savvy in terms of time and expense, the end result tastes different. Research, analysis and technology make modern wines technically perfect. With all this perfection, I have to wonder if the flaws in old world winemaking are part of the tapestry that makes the wine beautiful?
We invite you to do your own side-by-side tasting, and be sure to let us know what you think.
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fun to read this . . . I watched a little of the documentary Mondovino last night; the star of the show is the new v. old world tensions
is there a good online wine locator?
We loved a bottle from the Corbieres this weekend, but got the last two when Astor was moving. They don't appear to have more. It doesn't come up on wineaccess.com . . . the only thing I find on Google is the Domaine's website... is there an efficient way to find more?
Hi Guido -
Try: www.wine-searcher.com, it is the best web-wine search engine. Just be sure to search by state, otherwise you'll be all over the place.
--Jenny
oooh, Jenny! this is fun!
i totally fell down on the sherry last week, i was so distracted by the wicked nice weather
i haven't tried any new world wines in awhile, i've been on a serious french kick, so this should be a refreshing change
but, i am with you on the flaws thing
when i first started really drinking wine, i was all about new world, but recently, i found that they were beginning to get on my nerves
i was inspired by an article in Saveur to try the 2003 vintage beaujolais, and, even though that year is very fruity and a little new world in style, i find them to be less cloying and a little imperfect, which to my tastebuds, is a good thing
cheers!
I've been drinking Penfolds for a couple of months now, and I concur that the Shiraz is a great bottle. A trip to Australia inspired my focus, and the variety of price and range by Penfolds at my local wine store is great. Glad to see the mention of one of my favorites.