1997 Fox Creek Reserve Shiraz

Fox Creek is in South Australia’s McLaren Vale. It was founded in 1984 when Jim and Helen Watts bought 80 acres of a property that had previously been used for growing barley. The couple planted grapes and within a decade were producing Shiraz. Fox Creek now owns a state-of-the-art winery. The winemaker is Scott Zrna. The estate’s most celebrated wines are from its Fox Creek Reserve portfolio, which includes Shiraz, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Under its Fox Creek label, it makes a variety of white wines as well as reds.

South Australia is the nation’s most important wine region. South Australia is to Australia what California is to the U.S. About half of Australia’s wine comes from South Australia and many of the country’s most acclaimed producers are there. Wineries based in South Australia include Penfolds Grange, Torbreck, Amon Ra, Henschke and Jacob’s Creek. The prestigious Barossa Valley is located in South Australia, and is often compared to Napa Valley because it is gorgeous topography covered in grape vines. First farmed by 19th century German-speakers who immigrated from what is now Poland, the Barossa Valley is the crown jewel of the region. South Australia has widely varying climates, from very hot, dry areas to cooler, high altitude areas. There are more than 150,000 acres of vineyards in South Australia, with more being planted each month. Shiraz is king, though the region also produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Mourvedre, Chardonnay and Semillon.

This grape is grown in milder climates and produces a medium-to full-bodied wine. It is also known as Shiraz, but should not be confused with Petit Sirah, which was developed by crossing Syrah with Peloursin.