Vale Durif on Wine Blogging Wednesday

Image of Durif from State Library of South Australia.

Petite Sirah is known by its correct name of Durif in Australia. There are about 60-70 wineries making wine from Durif. See Vinodiversity's Durif page.

Most of the wineries with the variety are in the warm and hot regions, Rutherglen, Riverina, Murray Darling etc. But Durif actually is also suited to cooler climate viticulture, although very few Australians will believe you if you tell them. John Vale of Vale Wines at Balnarring on the Mornington Peninsula has grown the variety for several Vintages.

Last weekend I tried the 2005 Vale Durif. The wine is deep red colour and has great depth of flavour. There are spicy characters in the middle palate, reminiscent of cool climate Shiraz. Compared to typical Rutherglen Durif this wines is positively elegant. You could drink this wine a range of foods, perhaps you could pair it in a similar way as you would a young tempranillo, rather than with heavy meats and game dishes that are called for with the more usual Australian Durifs.

More about Durif on Wine Blogging Wednesday #40