Med Bag of Chips

Ham, cheddar cheese, fresh tomatoes, and arugula.

Ham and Cheese Sandwich

Sliced turkey, lettuce, tomato, and mustard in a whole wheat wrap.

Fit Turkey Wrap

Bring the Shiraz to cellar/serving temperature (about 16–18°C). If the bottle has been stored cooler than this, remove from the fridge 30–60 minutes before serving. If the wine is young and tightly structured (which many McLaren Vale Shiraz can be), decant for 30–60 minutes to open aromatic complexity and soften tannins. For an older bottle, decant carefully and check for sediment.

Chill and decant

Serve in large-bowled red wine glasses to concentrate aromas toward the nose. Pour 120–150 ml (about one standard serving) per glass to allow room for swirling and nosing.

Glassware

Look for ripe dark-fruit aromas (blackberry, plum), black pepper and spice, some oak-derived vanilla and chocolate, and supple tannins typical of McLaren Vale Shiraz. Note texture, acidity and finish as you sip.

Tasting notes to expect

Season the lamb chops with salt and pepper. Preheat a grill or cast-iron pan to high heat. Grill 3–4 minutes per side for medium-rare depending on thickness (internal temp ~57°C). Rest 5 minutes before serving. The savory, fatty richness complements Shiraz tannin and fruit.

Grilled lamb chops

Preheat oven to 200°C. Brush mushroom caps with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and roast gill-side up on a baking sheet for 12–15 minutes until tender and slightly caramelized. Serve hot or warm; the umami and char pair well with the wine's savory notes.

Roasted portobello mushrooms

Bring cheeses to room temperature (remove from fridge 30–60 minutes before serving). Serve sliced cheese and broken pieces of dark chocolate on a board. The fat and salt from cheese and the bitter-sweet chocolate enhance the Shiraz's fruit and oak tones.

Shiraz, Mitolo Jester

Descriptors

Tasting Notes

Food Pairings

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