In this week’s Tipping’s Tipples, MIKE TIPPING explores the bold and easy-going style of Aussie shiraz.

AUSSIE shiraz is not known for being feminine or subtle, but sometimes I crave its boldness and easy-going style. Besides, I make a habit of ignoring fashions such as the movement towards more delicate wines.

In my book, there is a time and a place for most wines, it’s horses for courses as they say.

I’ve picked three examples this week that come in at under £7. Yet each is full of varietal character and is distinctly Australian.

Of course, this trio would be great with barbecue grub, as well as the Sunday roast. But with that typically Aussie, sweet-edged fruitiness, they are kind of okay to drink without food.

There is still time to make the most of the Co-operative’s third-off promotion on St Kitt’s Shiraz 2009; it’s ripper at the price.

This is from Barossa Valley Estate, producer of E&E Black Pepper Shiraz. Like its pricier big brother, the St Kitt’s Shiraz doesn’t skimp on those black pepper notes. It packs ripe blackberry and blackcurrant fruit flavours with a hint of smoke: managing to stay on the right side of jammy.

One Chain “The Opportunist” Shiraz 2007 is fair dinkum at its permanent price of £6.99, available from online merchant FindWine. “A one off parcel from a top producer... don’t ask us who ‘cos we won’t tell,” goes the blurb on the website.

The Opportunist suited me, it’s a good, solid Aussie glug. The vinous equivalent of cricketer Merv Hughes trundling in for his 35th over of the day. Touting flavours of brambles, cassis, cracked black pepper, chocolate and cigar smoke, stitched together by supple tannins; it has crowd pleasing potential in abundance.

Wakefield Estate Clare Valley Shiraz 2008 is a bonza wine too and covered by the save 20 percent on Australian wines offer at Majestic, until the end of the month. It is full and rich, with juicy black fruits, coffee, vanilla and that all important, spicy kick of black pepper.


• St Kitt’s Shiraz 2009, £6.99 at The Co-opertaive (until August 17) 17/20

• One Chain “The Opportunist” Shiraz 2007, £6.99 from FindWine (findwine.co.uk) 18/20

• Wakefield Estate Clare Valley Shiraz 2008, £6.99 each (when you buy two) at Majestic 17/20