SKY HIGH AWARD FOR CUMULUS

The results of the international Syrah du Monde Awards were released this week, with Australia’s very own Cumulus Shiraz 2008 collecting a gold medal (one of only 34 awarded) and an impressive position in the competition’s Top 10 syrah/shiraz from around the world.

The Syrah du Monde 2011 brought together nearly 400 wines from 24 countries, making this competition one of the world’s top events for syrah and shiraz wines. The Top 10 ranking had a strong international diversity this year with six countries appearing among the world’s ten best syrah/shiraz wines. With 3 wines from France, 2 from South Africa and 1 each from Switzerland, Italy and Bulgaria, that left two spots for Australian wines – one from the Barossa and the Cumulus Shiraz from Orange NSW.

Winemaker Debbie Lauritz says “I’m obviously thrilled that it was our wine that was selected by this highly experienced panel of judges but I’m also just really happy to see Orange included alongside the most famous shiraz wine growing regions in the world.

As wine growers, we fiercely believe in the quality of the Orange wine region and our vineyards. The Cumulus vineyard was established in the early 1990’s and rises to 620 metres, making it high-elevation and cool-climate. The fully mature vines are deeply planted on ancient soils some 450 million years old. The limestone base is overlaid by volcanic-derived basalt from the now dormant Mount Canobolas and this ancient combination of well-drained soils produces vines of unique fruit strength and character.

Orange’s fabulous high-UV sunshine and altitudinal drop in night temperature also helps, creating wines with linear structure and cool-climate spice notes.”

Cumulus also prides itself on their sustainable approach in the vineyard, ensuring they avoid any unnatural and toxic substances with the long-term view of producing healthy, balanced vines with minimal intervention.

The Cumulus Shiraz (and its sister wine the Cumulus Chardonnay) is sourced from the estates best vineyard blocks and only made in small lots in exceptional years when the quality is deemed high enough.

Cumulus Shiraz 2008 – RRP $30

Stockists:

Distributed by Cumulus Wines.

Available nationally though independent liquor stores

Contacts:

Cristy O’Sullivan, Cumulus Estate Wines, P: 02 8977 2800 E: COSullivan@cumuluswines.com.au