Red or white? When it comes to choosing wines, this is the dilemma that many wine drinkers face. For some, there’s not much difference between the two. For others, though, the differences are so vast that that their similarity ends with both of them being a beverage.



If your preference is red, you’re also faced with that decision on whether to pick a Pinot Noir, a Merlot, a Cabernet Sauvignon, or a Shiraz. How the wine that ended up being bottled tastes depends on the grape variety that was used. The last name on the list, also known as ‘Syrah,’ is something I usually get because of its distinctly strong and full-bodied profile. The question for those who also prefer this type is, how do you pick a good Shiraz? Read on to find out.



Profiling Shiraz



Just like when choosing someone to hire, employers profile their applicants first based on their resume and after having an interview with them. That’s pretty much the same thing with wines. Well, you don’t get to interview them, but you get to read their ‘resume.’



Of course, you need to know first the characteristics of Shiraz: anywhere from medium red to rich purple or even black; fruit characters including mint, spice, herbs, menthol, and dark cherry; its primary aromas and flavors can evolve into more complex characters.



But wait, you can actually also ‘interview’ a Shiraz to get to know it more. This can be done by taking a sip of it and experiencing in your palate plenty of flavour.



Picking a Good Shiraz



Choosing a particular will have to depend primarily on your preferences. If you feel like going for a young, full-bodied Shiraz, you can drink it immediately after getting it from the shop. If it’s young, it would generally have higher tannins and higher alcohol content. If it tastes too strong for you, you might want to put it in the cellar first for a little while.



If you’re looking for old vintages, make sure that the level’s good at the top of the neck. Ensure, too, that there’s no wine leaking through the cork. You should also ask where it came from and how long the bottle has been there. If you’re given a chance to have a sip before you buy a bottle, look for the defining fruits that I mentioned above.



Want to make sure the wine came from excellent Shiraz-producing regions? Go for those produced in Australia, including the iconic Barossa Valley and Eden Valley.



Keep these things in mind when getting Shiraz so you can be sure that the bottle you’ll get is one that suits your preferences when it comes to this excellent red variety.



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