Heartland Shiraz Director's Cut 2010

Winery: Heartland

Varietal: Syrah

There are few red wine grape varietals in the world quite as versatile as that of the Shiraz/Syrah vine. These powerful darkly colored grapes are responsible for several wildly popular wines, and are used in the production of still, fortified and sparkling wines, all which carry its magnificent strong flavors very well indeed. This grape varietal is a robust one, easily adaptable to several different climates and terroirs, and yet has a strong ability to express the conditions it is grown in when it ferments and is drank. Most typically, Shiraz/Syrah wines are known for spicy flavors with a big fruity punch, and the fact that they can demonstrate the decisions made by the winemakers in their secondary flavors very clearly.

Region: South Australia

The vast wine region of South Australia has long since shaken off its reputation problems and is now producing many of the finest wines of the New World. The advanced irrigation systems that run through the more arid areas of the region provide plenty of moisture to support a wide range of vines, and the temperate valley sides and mountainous regions of South Australia are ideal for large scale viticulture. Although Australia is most commonly associated with the big, flavorful Shiraz wines grown across this region, South Australia's wineries have been growing plenty of different varietals for several decades now, and have had great success with everything from Pinot Noir to Cabernet Sauvignon, and Chardonnay to Riesling. By using a blend of traditional techniques with modern technology, South Australia will continue to grow and develop as an important global wine region, and will no doubt continue to impress in the future.

Country: Australia

Despite much of Australia being covered by dry, arid deserts and bushland, the southern regions of the country and islands such as Tasmania have proved to be ideal for vineyard cultivation and wine production. The fertile soils and brisk oceanic breezes, coupled with the blazing Australian sunshine allow the grapes to grow to full ripeness before a late harvest, resulting in hugely flavorful wines which appeal to a wide international audience. Combine this with the experimental and daring approach Australian wineries have in regards to wine production, and it becomes clear why Australia has relatively quickly become something of a world leader when it come to exporting their produce to Europe and America. The Shiraz and Chardonnay grape varietals have produced the most successful and broadly appreciated results over the decades, however, in more recent years wineries have begun experimenting with a much wider range of grape varietals, demonstrating how Australian wineries are continuing to adapt and develop alongside international palates.