Shiraz. Arguably the most consumed red wine in Australia. There are so many iterations of the variety on the market from any number of regions and countries. It makes perfect sense to offer up a Shiraz that is ‘consumer friendly.’ I have been lucky (or unlucky in some instances) enough to have had the opportunity to try some that have zero alcohol or are low alcohol. Just my opinion but, this is a very ‘hit and miss’ category.
When a reputable wine company, who have been around for 175 years, decide to throw a ‘Lighter Shiraz’ into the market, you know it’s going to be, at the very least, good. When you think that the ‘zero’ or ‘low’ alcohol market is expanding at a rate of knots, there needs to be careful consideration as to what you put in the glass of today’s wine consumer. The Hill-Smith Family do not do anything on a whim, hence you would not be seeing this wine in your bottle-O if it were not up to scratch.
Region: South Australia Price: $16 Source: Sample thanks kindly to Hill- Smith Family Estates
This looks bright and youthful in the glass and quite translucently appealing to the eye. I really liked the vibrant aromas it gave off with a good swirl of the glass. Lovely red fruits showed the way with a little pepper and herb characters coming through too. The flavours that came through on the palate were a pleasant surprise indeed considering the 8% alcohol. Strawberries, red cherries, plums and just a hint of spice all played their part as it finishes soft, smooth, and pretty damn moreish. Nicely done I say!
Words from a Wine Glass 