Jam Jar Sweet Shiraz 2009 – Wine Review

Feels like a while since we had a wine review doesn’t it? Well, it isn’t that long ago that we weighed up the difference between boxed wine and bottled wine and looked at a 2008 Neethlingshof Malbec. Fortunately, Michael Olivier, keeps us up to date constantly with what’s happening in the world of fine wines, and today we’re looking at something quite exciting..

Cape Classics released its Jam Jar Sweet Shiraz 2009 nationally in the USA and this unique semi-sweet red wine literally hit the American consumer’s sweet spot.

Jam Jar, made from grapes grown in the Paarl region, is unapologetically accessible and populist. Clever packaging­ nostalgic granny’s jam jar red and white gingham.

The unique recipe is working and the wine is selling like wildfire in the USA. The wine has been launched in South Africa and is available through
Pick n Pay at R39.99, says Andre Shearer, the South African-born founder and CEO of Cape Classics.

So much for the PR blurb, but what about the wine.

Well first of all it is sweet. Unashamedly so at about 54 g/l. Of the same ilk as the popular Chocolate and Coffee Pinotage, it is pitched at a niche
on the market and has gone in like a homing pigeon. Grapes are from Paarl, ideal Shiraz country, the wine was matured on American Oak staves for 5 months which gives it the characteristic sweet vanilla smells.

Jam Jar is made in a lighter style than a typical Shiraz. It’s fresh and fruity, semi-sweet with raspberries, blueberries and an undertow of snappy dark chocolate. Lovely balance of fruit, acidity, wood and sweetness.

Sure the sniff – and spitterati aren’t going to like it. But the people will! It’s perfect for the talk ³I only drink dry wine but actually love
something less dry market.

This wine blasts wine snobbery out of the window.

I just have to get myself a bottle of this, look at that picture!

Thanks again to Michael, author of The People’s Guide, for this review, without you, we’d probably be drinking boring wine and learning nothing!