... However, I have decided to write about “Banrock Station Sparkling Shiraz” from Australia because it represents a discovery of an oddity that I think you should try. You may love it or hate it but you will have to admit it is different.
And why is it different? Well - because as you may ... Read review
Advantages: Very different, very pleasant and eco-friendly too Disadvantages: Your wine snob friends may barf
...diamond shaped label with the Banrock Station logo it is extremely understated.
On pouring the wine (I would recommend serving it in a Champagne flute to preserve the bubbles) you see that it is a deep crimson colour and the bubbles froth like any sparkling wine - except they are pink!
On first tasting I have to admit I was not sure what to think as I had never tasted anything quite like it. The wine was clearly a red ... ...say.
The Banrock Station vineyard is in South Australia’s Riverland region near Adelaide. Apparently there are 600 acres of vineyard sitting amongst 3600 acres of natural bushland and this brings me to another good point about Banrock Station. Banrock Station donate part of the proceeds from the sale of every Banrock Station wine to fund environmental projects around Australia. And globally everywhere Banrock Station is available, ... more
I do like a bottle of wine now and again (and again) and I like to sample new wines but usually I do not feel expert enough to write very meaningful reviews about them. However, I have decided to write about “Banrock Station Sparkling Shiraz” from Australia because it represents a discovery of an oddity that I think you should try. You may love it or hate it but you will have to admit it is different.
And why is it different? Well - because as you may have guessed from it's name “Banrock Station Sparkling Shiraz” is a "Sparkling RED Wine" and you don't see many of them! Apparently this idea of sparkling Shiraz is becoming quite trendy but not being very trendy myself I had never heard of it.
True wine connoisseurs may be throwing their hands up in horror at the idea of a sparkling red and before I tried it that was my reaction too. I do like a bottle of sparkling wine now and again and would normally go for the bone dry Champagne clones (of which Australia produces some fine examples) or even Champagne itself if I can afford it. So one day whilst browsing the sparkling section in Waitrose I saw this bottle that said "Sparkling Shiraz" and knowing that Shiraz a red grape I picked it up to look at out of curiosity. I thought about it for a minute then put it back as I thought that it was a bit too odd. However, next time I went it caught my eye again and curiosity overcame my aversion to the idea.
The bottle suggests it is served chilled (though it is also good at room temperature) so into the fridge it went and later that evening I tried it.
The bottle is a standard Sparkling wine type but without a foil cap and only a simple diamond shaped label with the Banrock Station logo it is extremely understated.
On pouring the wine (I would recommend serving it in a Champagne flute to preserve the bubbles) you see that it is a deep crimson colour and the bubbles froth like any sparkling wine - except they are pink!
On first tasting I have to admit I was not sure what to think as I had never tasted anything quite like it. The wine was clearly a red in taste but the smooth effervescence was reminiscent of a white and left me with a satisfying glow. Once my palate had adjusted to this odd experience it tasted wonderful. I'm not terribly good at describing the exact taste of wine myself so I will reproduce the makers waffle about it below:-
"A lifted bouquet of mulberry, plum, sweet coconut and spicy oak precedes a palate characterised by dark berry fruit flavours and a luscious, effervescent texture".
Well there you go - pretentious perhaps but it does describe the taste quite well.
Since this initial purchase I have bought this wine many times and I really enjoy it. I have always drunk it on it's own but the maker's recommendation for food accompaniment is :-
"The perfect partner for a wide variety of foods including chocolate desserts, fresh fruit, or cold platters. It is also ideal as an aperitif."
And Waitrose recommend it with Turkey - so a perfect one for the Christmas dinner perhaps?
The wine also won an IWSC (International Wine and Spirit Competition) Gold Medal and here is what they had to say about it:-
"Deep colour. Enormous, dense fruit character highlighted by the sparkling effervescence. Big , full, energetic mousse with creamy chocolate mouth. Quiet tannins and fine acid undercut the sugar to a degree of being smooth rather than overly sweet. Surprisingly complex. Refreshing drink with lots of flavour."
…. spot on I’d say.
The Banrock Station vineyard is in South Australia’s Riverland region near Adelaide. Apparently there are 600 acres of vineyard sitting amongst 3600 acres of natural bushland and this brings me to another good point about Banrock Station. Banrock Station donate part of the proceeds from the sale of every Banrock Station wine to fund environmental projects around Australia. And globally everywhere Banrock Station is available, there is an association with a major local environmental organisation which benefits from donations generated by sales of Banrock Station wines. For example, here in the UK Banrock Station donate 5p to the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust for every 9 litres of Banrock Station wine sold. So far this has raised £150,000. Good eh?
The price is £7.99 in Waitrose but I have been finding it on offer recently in Somerfield for £5.99.
Visit http://www.banrockstation.com for a very nice web site that tells you about all of the wines that Banrock Station produce as well as details about their environmental efforts etc.
What more can I say? I find it difficult to write a lot about a wine so I recommend that what you do is go out and try it. For the more conservative amongst you it might just be a little too unusual but I would highly recommend it if you are feeling a little adventurous. It may not be for the serious wine drinker but sparkling wine is frivolous by its very nature and this is a great cheerful wine that makes you feel good. A splendid tipple!
Advantages: Lots, tastes really lovely & gets you drunk quick so be careful Disadvantages: None whatsoever
...they didn't live up to Banrock Station Sparkling Shiraz.
My sister passed her driving test (fourth time) a little while ago and I bought her a bottle celebrate - she also loved it, so now I think I've converted her too. I think the idea of a wine being red and also sparkling at the same time may put off some people. Ican understand that - but nothing ventured, nothing gained - try it - I'll bet you LOVE it!! ...
mightymuffin 27.03.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Banrock Station Sparkling Shiraz
Advantages: Fruity, light . Disadvantages: The price.
I was lucky enough to be given a bottle of this for my birthday just gone by my fab sis who i now know still knows me very well even though we dont get togegther much . I was blown away by its fruity flavour which left me quite pleasantly suprised and the bubbles made it go doen with a light crispy feel . It did go to my head slightly quicker than expected ( it was my birthday after all ) and i got a real munch on after a couple of glasses . I have ... ...and i would advise you to sip on it . It was a definate treat to drink and i have bought it a few times since being given one for my birthady but i wouldnt be able to buy it on too much of a regular basis as it costs just a little more than i would spend as just a drink to buy regularly . I would say a definate must to treat your self or someone else and i would recomend it . Happy drinking . ...
sheepygirl 26.08.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Banrock Station Sparkling Shiraz
Advantages: Very drinkable, something a bit different for those special occasions Disadvantages: none that I can think of!
...for a special occasion, the Banrock Station Sparkling Shiraz is well worth spending a little more on.
I would definitely recommend this wine to anyone who enjoys a fruity red, or is looking for the sophistication of a glass of champagne - but with a quirky, yet delicious twist. ...
garbadine 04.06.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Banrock Station Sparkling Shiraz
Advantages: Nice bottle Easy to open Disadvantages: No foil on top
...a red wine chilled and to those persons I say TRY IT!!What have you got to lose?
Banrock Station is the next Best Austrailian wine and I would recomend it to all of my friends and family members. I will mention it to all of the resaraunts that I freguent!!!! ...
steve1105 24.06.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Banrock Station Sparkling Shiraz
Advantages: Frothy, tasty, novelty value, gets you drunk quickly Disadvantages: Gets you drunk quickly, possibly overpriced
I like most Australian red wine -
I'm not a wine expert and don't go in for all that silly sniffing mouth swilling and slurping.
I also don't believe that wine should only be drunk with matching food - a nice wine is a nice wine - this one is surprisingly refreshing as well as being a typical full bodied shiraz - its a good Sunday lunch wine or barbeque wine or just for relaxing watching a good movie. You just know when you like something!
If ... ...you and you get the novelty value of a champagne like pop when you open it and a pink frothy head when you pour it into a glass.
Once the head dissipates, the wine doesn't look fizzy - (like champagne where the bubbles go on for ages) but there is still a nice fizz when you drink it.
The alcohol content is about 10% I think - haven't had a bottle for a while - and like champagne it gets you tiddly very quickly which can be looked on as a good point ...
Rob099 30.06.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Banrock Station Sparkling Shiraz
