1997 Noon Solaire Reserve Grenache

Noon Winery in Langhorn Creek, Australia, is owned and operated by the Noon family, which includes David Noon and his son Drew. David Noon had been a Grenache grape farmer since the late 1960s. He sold his grapes to regional winemakers but soon became interested in making wine himself. In 1972 he bought a small grape press and by 1976 was selling his own wine. In 1996 his son Drew took over the everyday affairs of the estate. Today Noon’s Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon wines are considered some of Australia’s best boutique wines. Wine Advocate has called Noon “one of the brilliant wineries of Australia, offering wines of exceptional purity, symmetry and individuality.”

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.

One of the most popular red varieties planted, it ripens late and prefers hot dry climates. It probably originated in Spain, where it is still widely grown. Grenache is best known for its use in Southern Rhone wines, including those of Chateauneuf-du-Pape.