Winemaker Notes
The 2016 Schild Estate Sparkling Shiraz is a deep ruby and purple. Fragrant plum, mulberry and dark cherry fruit aromas show alongside more delicate hints of chocolate and spice. On the palate the dark berry fruits and chocolate continue to present, providing an embracing, welcoming creamy texture. A soft supporting tannin profile and refreshing acid line then provides the framework to cut through a balanced sweetness leading into a long, clean savoury finish where the dark fruit rolls out and slightly lingers seductively at the end.
Pair this wine with duck liver pate and warm-buttered bread.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Rich dark plums and blackberries delivered in a fleshy, young and gently sweet-fruited style. Drink now.
Made in a handful of wine regions across the globe, red sparkling wine ranges from delicately sweet to bone dry. While styles vary by region, red sparkling wine production methods are often the decision of the winemaker. For serving, cool red sparkling wine down to about 40F to 50F.
Historically and presently the most important wine-producing region of Australia, the Barossa Valley is set in the Barossa zone of South Australia, where more than half of the country’s wine is made. Because the climate is very hot and dry, vineyard managers work diligently to ensure grapes reach the perfect levels of phenolic ripeness.
The intense heat is ideal for plush, bold reds, particularly Shiraz on its own or Rhône Blends. Often Shiraz and Cabernet partner up for plump and powerful reds.
While much less prevalent, light-skinned varieties such as Riesling, Viognier or Semillon produce vibrant Barossa Valley whites.
Most of Australia’s largest wine producers are based here and Shiraz plantings date back as far as the 1850s or before. Many of them are dry farmed and bush trained, still offering less than one ton per acre of inky, intense, purple juice.