Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/597666
november 2015 / the tasting panel / 71 COVER STORY Ask any sommelier about the Barossa Valley and they'll tell you it's one of Australia's most widely praised regions. Oddly, though, many outside of the wine industry are not as familiar with this charming little area. But the Delegat group, a leading producer of super premium New Zealand wines, plans on making it well known—and what better way to do this than by acquiring the reputable Barossa Valley Estate (BVE)? Aside from its distinction, there are other reasons Delegat has chosen BVE and, no, it's not because their accents are similar. Delegat has noticed a few very important trends, which have lead them to discover the potential in a generation of aspirational wine drinkers. The Barossa Valley Geographical Indication (GI) is quite small: only twenty miles long by nine miles wide. Shiraz vines planted during the 1840s make the Barossa Valley home to some of the oldest vines in the world. In addition to its coveted Shiraz, the region is also planted primarily with Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache and Mourvèdre, all of which have remained phylloxera- free. In case you've not heard, phylloxera is a deadly pest that feeds on the rootstalks and leaves of the European Vitis vinifera grapevines, the species of vine that gives us all of the classical Southern Wine & Spirits (SWS) enjoying a glass of Barossa Valley Estate at Chicago Gourmet (left to right): Will Conniff, Executive Vice President, General Manager of SWS Illinois; Terry Brick, Senior Vice President, General Manager of SWS Illinois; Peter Edgar, Vice President, Delegat USA Inc.; Mike Housey, Vice President, General Manager Sales Wines of SWS Illinois; and Pete McGrory, Portfolio and Finance Manager of SWS Illinois. by Jessie Birschbach