Kleinhoekkloof Wines has several varietals of grapes on the farm and as an education to many of our followers, we want to give an overview of each varietal to you. The biggest varietal on the farm is Syrah / Shiraz.

A quick overview from Wikipedia give us this…

Syrah is a dark-skinned grape grown throughout the world and used primarily to produce powerful red wines. Syrahs enjoy great popularity in the marketplace, relatively often under the name Shiraz.

DNA profiling in 1999 found Syrah to be the offspring of two obscure grapes from southeastern France, Dureza and Mondeuse Blanche.[2] It should not be confused with Petite Sirah, a synonym for Durif, a cross of Syrah with Peloursin dating from 1880.

Ok, but what does that mean to you, the consumer?

Shiraz wines display firm tannins (although they are typically ripe and smooth, not abrasive like younger reds can be), a medium to full body, and the rich round flavors of black cherry, blackberry, plum, bell pepper, black pepper, clove, licorice, dark chocolate and smoked meat.

Shiraz (the french call is Syrah but we South Africans go by Shiraz) from Kleinhoekkloof has a mysterious potpourri that can only be described as a hauntingly beautiful smoky lurk that stems from the surrounding fynbos and channeled by the 4:30pm wind that blows up the valley every afternoon.

You should be eating the following foods when paired with a juicy Kleinhoekkloof Shiraz: grilled meats or veggies, wild game, richly flavored red meats, beef stew and meat lover’s pizza.

Kleinhoekkloof Shiraz is currently available in 2006 and 2007 vintages.