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and blends thereof and this variety has the greatest plantings in total. Shiraz (also Hermitage) is the name used in Australia for the Syrah grape variety which is found in France and Spain. Other countries are notable for different grape varieties, such as Zinfandel in California, Malbec in Argentina and Pinotage in South Africa.

Scotsman James Busby in 1831 brought from France and Spain many hundreds of varieties of vine cuttings and established them at the Sydney Botanical Gardens, from whence vines were distributed elsewhere in Australia. By 1839 Syrah vines were established and flourished in South Australia in the McLaren Vale and Barossa Valley, which are the largest wine producing regions of the state.

The most famous premium Shiraz wine of South Australia is Grange Hermitage, developed by Penfold's wine maker Max Schubert in the 1950's. The best Shiraz grapes from the Barossa Valley are hand picked and treated like gold nuggets to produce a premium wine (actually Shiraz blended with from 4 to 10% Cabernet Sauvignon). The latest release of Penfold's Grange Hermitage 2004 now sells at $550 per bottle.

Shiraz en puro has a very dense red color. Some rough vintages may turn your teeth black after drinking a bottle. A bottle a day keeps the doctor away. If you feel poorly drink two bottles! It has a high tannin content which reduces on maturation. It is good stuff and very versatile in end product and presentation!

I drink a rough dry Shiraz wine at lunch every day but often I add ice and a dash of tonic water to make it more of a summer long drink. Many wineries produce a sparkling Shiraz, and a wide range sparkling reds and whites, which go well at barbecue functions during the hot Australian summers.

The el cheapo (under $10/bottle) sparkling wines are sometimes labeled "carbonated wine" and are useful to kindle a lively barbecue. The high quality sparklers are made from the best vintages and are usually made by the Charmat Method, and sell in the range $20 to $40 per bottle.

South Australian wine growers produce Shiraz as the major grape. Some is earmarked to produce premium reds having 5 or more years maturation, but the bulk is blended with Cabernet, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Grenache grapes which produces blends which are readily acceptable for drinking after a short period of maturation in oak.

On Kangaroo Island there are about 30 vineyards and five wineries that have "cellar doors" or cater for visitors to sample the wines and to buy in situ.

At Penneshaw,

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