WORLD OF BACCHUS: Shadow’s run – Fox Creek

Australia’s wine industry is an interesting one. In 2010, with 2,420 producing companies, the top 20, among which Foster’s Group and Constellation Wines Australia, account for 90% of the sales, the remaining 10% is shared by the other 2,400 others. This means that contrary to popular belief, the majority of Australian wineries are SMEs.
While the existing permissive rules and regulations make it relatively easy to plant a vineyard and start a winery, not all plots are equal in soil quality and water availability remains a crucial issue. In McLaren Vale in the heart of South Australia’s wine country, Fox Creek vineyards are planted on dark cracking clay full of organic material for one part and red sandy loam for the other. Irrigation is sometimes necessary but utilized only when the soil moisture level generates water stress for the vines.
However, with soils, what matters most is drainage, especially with clay soils. Fox Creek with its 60 hectares of vineyards is attempting to dry grow some Shiraz parcels in order to make best use of limited underground water. Dry growing means no water is supplied to the vines except that coming by natural means such as winter rainfalls. The resulting smaller than usual fruit berries come along with spectacular fruit smells and aromas. By using these extraordinary fruity berries in the blend, the fruit aromas, smells and taste come out much stronger. In some wines, this is a very much desired olfactory characteristic. In Fox Creek, with three distinct labels, the most sympathetic one is Shadow’s run named after the vineyard’s Border Collie Shadow. This line of Shadow’s run features wines that are unpretentious, affordable and a true expression of the fruit harvested from the vineyards.
 Shadow’s Run wines are available with Summergate. Please call Timothy Feather at 2875 2566 or e-mail: timothy.feather@summergate.com

Shadow’s Run Chardonnay

Appellation: Unwooded 
Year: 2007
Area: McLaren Vale, South Australia
Type: 100% Chardonnay  
Color/Style: Dry White, light to medium body 14% ABV
Available from: Summergate MOP114
With a pale lemon core and green tones on the rim, this light white wine is a typical Chardonnay with tropical fruits such as pineapple, white stone fruit such as peach as well as a marked citrus note of lime and lemon. The palate first impression is crisp yet smooth as well as rich and mouth filling with flavors of lemon, peach, pear, rock melon as well as nectarine. As an unwooded wine – no exposure to oak at any time – it is intended to be drunk young and fresh on dishes such as raw oysters and steamed shellfish as well as fresh cheese or for aperitif. Serve chilled.

Shadow’s Run Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon

Appellation: McLaren Vale
Year: 2007
Area: South Australia
Type: 66% Shiraz, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon
Color/Style: Dry Red, medium body 14% ABV
Available from: Summergate MOP114

The core of this dry blended red is dark ruby with a sustained ruby rim. On the nose, the array of smells and aromas is harmonious and gives out sweet red cherries, some cocoa leaves complemented by sweet spices such as cinnamon and cardamom while in the mouth it is an explosion of sweet red fruits such as cherries and plums, with a sweet spice combination of vanilla, coconut and cloves as well as chocolate powder. The acidity is sustained leaving a fresh mouth feel. Drink lightly chilled now or until 2013 with barbecued meats and Asian spicy stews.
The core of this dry blended red is dark ruby with a sustained ruby rim. On the nose, the array of smells and aromas is harmonious and gives out sweet red cherries, some cocoa leaves complemented by sweet spices such as cinnamon and cardamom while in the mouth it is an explosion of sweet red fruits such as cherries and plums, with a sweet spice combination of vanilla, coconut and cloves as well as chocolate powder. The acidity is sustained leaving a fresh mouth feel. Drink lightly chilled now or until 2013 with barbecued meats and Asian spicy stews.

*Assistant Professor at Institute For Tourism Studies
Dr. Baudoin Neirynck’s book  “The Grapes of Wine” is on sale in
Dymocks IFC, Dymocks The Peak, Dymocks Harbour Centre and
Dymocks Discovery Bay