Happy 40th Birthday to the Canberra District Wine Region!

It was back in 1971 that the first of now more than 35 commercial wineries was established near Canberra and the region has been growing from strength to strength ever since.

Shaw Vineyard Estate is a relative new-comer having been established in 1998 but they have quickly become a hot topic in this cool climate thanks to a string of wine show awards and a premium vineyard that is, uniquely for the region, suitable for a  wide range of grape varieties.

The Estate’s capacity to grow and craft 25,000 cases of wine means that winemaker/owner Graeme Shaw can create three core labels, each designed for a different occasion; Reserve, Premium and Winemakers Selection.

Graeme explains, “As we have the ability to grow all our own grapes, including Riesling, Semillon, Shiraz, Cabernet and Merlot, it means we can quality-control every stage of production and be equally proud of all three of our labels. The Winemakers Selection range was created to provide affordable wines that are great value. It may be the cheapest at just $16 a bottle, but they are no less cared for.”

But you don’t have to just take Graeme’s word for it. Many others agree, with the Winemakers Selection range having been awarded 65 medals (19 of which are Internationals, including Golds from London, Vienna , New Zealand and Singapore) in just the last 2 years.

Two of Graeme’s favourites from the range are presented to you here now…

Winemakers Selection Shiraz 2008 (rrp $16)

Winemakers Selection Cabernet Merlot 2008 (rrp $16)

“2008 was a hot year but the fruit flavours were magnificent so with some careful harvesting, avoiding all the bunches with shrivel, we obtained some wonderful shiraz, cabernet and merlot.”

“The Winemakers Selection Shiraz is delicately oaked so not to overpower the fruit flavours, which also have elegant spices on the palate typical of premium cool climate wines.”

“The Winemakers Selection Cabernet Merlot is similarly a wine with dominant fruit flavours and well balanced acid and tannins. In fact, the Cabernet was so good that 2008 was the first year we produced our Reserve Cabernet, the Merriman, a wine we will only create in the best vintages. Despite the spotlight often being shone on Canberra Shiraz, our estate ripens Cabernet beautifully and I think I’d be bold enough to say that the best fruit from our vineyard is Cabernet.”

Both wines are perfect for a celebratory Birthday BBQ!

Distribution enquiries: John Merlino –  Merlin Boutique Wines  P: 0410 443 595

Winestream Communications