Unveiling the Splendour of South African Shiraz

Immerse yourself in the rich, robust world of Shiraz red wine, also globally recognised as Syrah. This world-renowned dark-skinned grape variety is the secret behind some of the most exquisite red wines. Its full-bodied, fruity, and spicy flavours create a symphony on the palate that leaves a lasting impression. 

In this blog, we explore the intriguing origins, captivating history, and distinctive tasting notes of this extraordinary varietal. So pour yourself a generous glass, make yourself comfortable, and prepare for an exciting journey into the captivating world of South African Shiraz.

Wine History: The Origins of Shiraz

Over the years, numerous theories about the origins of the grape have circulated. It was once widely accepted that this particular grape variety came from ancient Persia, specifically the city of Shiraz. However, some historians suggested that it was transported from the Middle East to Marseilles around 560 BC. Another theory was that Roman legions brought it from Egypt to Syracuse in Sicily. Others believed that Crusaders from Cyprus introduced it to France when they returned from the Middle East in the 13th century.

Contrary to all these very popular romantic narratives, it was only confirmed in the late 90s that the red variety, in fact, originates from France. This conclusion was made possible through DNA testing by Jean-Michel Boursiquot from L’Ecole Nationale Superiore Agronomique of Montpellier and Carole Meredith from the University of California at Davis, grapevine identification experts. Their groundbreaking announcement came in 2001 during a convention of the American Society of Enology and Viticulture. They declared that Shiraz is not of Persian origin but is rather the progeny of two lesser-known French grape varieties: Mondeuse Blanche from Savoie and Dureza from Ardéche.

How Did the Wine Make its Way to South Africa?

There are several theories about how Shiraz was introduced to the South African wine world. One suggests that the grape cuttings were brought from Europe to the Cape by Governor Simon van der Stel towards the end of the 1600s. Another theory credits Scotsman James Busby, a viticulturist who is known for introducing Shiraz to Australia. It’s believed that he may have brought some cuttings to Cape Town during his journey from Europe in 1840. However, the first documented evidence of Shiraz being grown in South Africa dates back to the late 1890s in the vineyards of Groot Constantia.

The History and Cultivation of the Wine in South Africa

The red wine first made its mark in history when it featured in the Cape Agricultural Wine Competition in 1935, with 12 out of the 15 wines entered being sweet varieties.

The ‘Father of Shiraz’ in South Africa, Bernard Podlashuk, was the first to bottle Shiraz as a separate varietal under the Bellingham label in 1957. Groot Constantia followed suit in 1963, and the Klawer Co-op in 1965. By 1978, only 20 Shirazes were recorded, but the early 1990s witnessed a surge in plantings, with local popularity mirroring global trends.

In a global context, South Africa boasts the fourth-largest Shiraz plantings worldwide, and currently, it is the second most planted red grape variety in South Africa, trailing only behind Cabernet Sauvignon, and the fourth most planted overall, following Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Colombar. Notably, it was the most planted variety between the years 2000 and 2010.

What Makes South Africa Ideal for Growing Shiraz?

Shiraz is a versatile grape variety that thrives in a range of weather conditions. It flourishes equally well in both the warmer regions and the cooler coastal or high-altitude terroirs. Its vineyards can be found across all wine-producing regions of South Africa, each presenting distinct flavour profiles. Although the variety exhibits a fair degree of resistance to diseases, it tends to be vulnerable to wind damage.

South Africa’s climate and diverse soil conditions make it an ideal place for growing Shiraz vines. The country experiences warm summers, moderated by afternoon sea breezes and cool nights, which provide a beneficial diurnal effect that helps the grapes retain their acidity and develop rich flavours. Vineyards are often located in river valleys where water for irrigation is plentiful and necessary for survival in the hot and arid climate.

How Do the Climate and Soil Conditions Influence Its Flavour?

The soils in South African vineyards are notably low in phosphorus but are rich in other minerals. These conditions encourage the vines to develop deep roots, resulting in concentrated, flavourful grapes. In certain regions, such as the Swartland, the warm and dry climate is conducive to sustainable, dryland farming, influencing the development of robust, full-bodied Shirazes.

In cooler coastal climates or high-altitude regions, the vines produce more elegant, spicy wines. This diversity allows South Africa to offer a broad range of Shiraz wines, each with a unique expression of its terroir.

Tasting Notes of Shiraz

It is known for its rich and diverse characteristics depending on where it is grown.

What Colour is South African Shiraz?

South African Shiraz typically has a deep ruby red hue, often leaning towards purple.

What Does Shiraz Smell Like?

On the nose, you can expect spicy, peppery, earthy and sometimes meaty/smoky aromas from South African Shiraz.

What Does South African Shiraz Taste Like?

It is a full-bodied wine with high tannins and acidity. It’s known for its lush, fruit-forward flavours, often featuring notes of blackberry, plum, pepper, and spices. Due to our warm climate, South African Shiraz may exhibit more fruit-driven characteristics in comparison to other countries.

Food and Wine Pairing: What Can You Pair with Shiraz?

It pairs well with hearty, meaty dishes due to its bold flavours, such as a traditional South African potjie (stew) or red meat dishes. Due to its earthy tones, South African Shiraz also pairs beautifully with game meats.

Merlot vs Shiraz

Merlot wines typically have a soft, velvety texture with flavours of plum, black cherry, and herbs. They’re often described as being fruity and smooth. On the other hand, Shiraz wines are usually more full-bodied, with bold, spicy flavours of dark fruits like blackberry and notes of pepper and smoked meat. Shiraz wines tend to have higher tannin levels and acidity compared to Merlot, giving them a bolder and more robust flavour profile.

Syrah vs Shiraz: What’s the Difference?

Syrah and Shiraz are the same grape variety used in red wine production, but the name often indicates the style of wine. The name Syrah, originating from France’s Rhône Valley, is used in France and across Europe and typically produces medium to full-bodied wines with flavours of dark berries and pepper and a complex, elegant profile. 

Shiraz, the name used in South Africa and Australia, usually yields bolder, fruit-forward wines with jammy blackberry and spice notes due to the warmer climate that these two countries share. So, while they’re the same grape, the name hints at the wine’s style and flavour profile, influenced by its growing region and climate.

Bonnievale Wines Shiraz

Bonnievale Wines River Collection Shiraz is a wonderful example of a Shiraz from the Bonnievale area with its deep alluvial soils. It is a medium to full-bodied wine with tasting notes that are delightfully earthy and spicy, with flavours of dark fruits and butterscotch with a hint of coffee. It is a wine that ages very well and is best enjoyed up to 7 years from bottling.

The environment is extremely important to Bonnievale wines, and our eco-friendly winery was awarded the prestigious Silver Status by the South African Fruit & Wine Initiative, Confronting Climate Change, for its lower-than-regional average carbon footprint.

Visit us at Bonnievale Wines

Bonnievale Wines is set amongst a picturesque landscape and offers the perfect backdrop for a wine tasting with family and friends. We offer two wine-tasting options of 3 wines for R35 and 5 wines for R55. We also often offer chocolate and wine pairings, but please do enquire when booking if it would be available on the day. Bookings for wine tastings can be conveniently made directly on our website.

Our Shiraz River Collection 2021 is a perfect example of a medium to full-bodied red win, and it is available on our website for R85.00 or, in a case of 6 for R510.00. Follow us on Twitter or Instagram to keep up to date on everything happening at the winery, and if you have any questions, call us on 023 616 2795 or email info@bonnievalewines.co.za.