Want to test your palate and expand your wine knowledge?
Are you ready to test your palate and explore the world of Shiraz? Welcome to the Hungerford Hill Shiraz Challenge, a fun and educational journey where you can dive into the complexities of Australia’s favourite red, while also improving your tasting skills.
Even better, you could win a bottle of our multi-award-winning Epic Shiraz!
What’s the Challenge?
Shiraz is synonymous with Australian wine, but how much do you really know about how climate influences its flavours? From the warm vineyards of the Hunter Valley to the cooler climates of Orange and Hilltops, there’s a whole world of Shiraz to explore. This month, we challenge you to do just that.
Start with our new release Classic Shiraz Hunter Valley 2022. This multi-award-winning wine is a perfect example of warm-climate Shiraz. Then, grab a bottle of cool-climate Shiraz from a region like Hilltops or Orange and compare the two side by side. How do they differ? What aromas and flavours stand out? It’s all about noticing the unique characteristics brought out by the region and climate.
How to Taste Like a Pro
Need a little help? Here’s a simple guide to tasting like a wine expert:
Step 1: Look Fill your glass about one-third full and take a good look. What colour is it? Colour gives you clues about the wine’s style, body, and age. Reds like Shiraz will pale as they age, while whites deepen in colour. Also, check the clarity—clear wines often reflect a fresher style, while a hazy wine could have more complexity.
Step 2: Swirl Swirling your wine aerates it, releasing its aromas. Here’s a pro tip: hold your glass by the stem when you swirl—it’s easier, and you’ll look sophisticated doing it!
Step 3: Smell Most of what we "taste" comes from our sense of smell. Give your wine a good sniff and see what aromas hit you first. According to our winemaker Bryan, a lot of what you’ll learn about a wine happens before you take a sip. Smell gives the first clue to what you’ll find in the glass.
Step 4: Taste Now comes the best part—tasting! Pay attention to five key factors:
- Sweetness: Most Shiraz will be dry or off-dry.
- Acidity: Does it make your mouth water like a lemon or green apple?
- Tannins: A high-tannin wine feels like strong tea in your mouth.
- Alcohol: Higher alcohol wines can taste sweeter or more tannic.
- Body: Is it light, medium, or full-bodied? This is all about the wine’s weight in your mouth.
Instead of focusing on elusive flavours like blackberry or fig, Bryan suggests paying more attention to the texture and shape of the wine. How does it feel on your palate?
Can You Write Like a Wine Expert?
Once you've done your tasting, we want to hear from you! Write down your thoughts—what aromas and flavours did you notice? How did the warm and cool climate Shiraz compare?
Share your notes with us, and you could win a bottle of Epic Shiraz. Post your findings on social media and tag us, or email your entry to wines@hungerfordhill.com.au with the subject line Wine Challenge. Bryan will select the best entry, and the winner will take home a bottle of our multi-award-winning Epic Shiraz.
Join the Fun
Wine tasting should be enjoyable and approachable, just like we are at Hungerford Hill. So don’t worry about getting it “right”—there’s no wrong answer in the Shiraz Challenge. It’s all about having fun, exploring new wines, and building your confidence as a taster. Cheers to that!
Let the Shiraz Challenge begin—are you up for it?