Dear Friends, The festive season is with us, shops, streets and our homes are decorated. The Barossa traditions are alive, Christmas puddings are hanging in our cellars and the children of the Valley are lining up in their Grandparents’ kitchens to help bake the annual holiday Honey Biscuit stash. As we plan our festive fare we cannot forget Sparkling Shiraz, a Christmas morning must with breakfast and often another glass with the fabulous pudding at the end of the day. We are releasing our 7th Sparkling Shiraz with this newsletter. The wine has developed cult status and sells out very quickly, don’t be disappointed, be sure you have a bottle or two ready chilled for Christmas morning. Of course you do not always need a special occasion to enjoy a glass or two!

I’m a big fan of Turkey Flat wines and this – now on its 20th release – has become a bit of a go-to rosé. From the tall, elegant bottle to the pink smudge-feathered Turkey on the label, it’s got a real feel-good factor about it. Clear, pale salmon pink in colour, with flowers and red fruits – strawberries, raspberries, redcurrants and red cherries – leaping from the glass. That mesh of summery red fruits spreads across the fresh, medium-bodied palate. It finishes with wild strawberry and a lick of plumskin. Drink now – and all summer long. Blend of Grenache 81%, Shiraz 10%, Cabernet Sauvignon 6%, Dolcetto 3%. RRP $18 – Alcohol 13% – Tasted 18/09/13

Sparkling Shiraz, in some circles it’s considered something of an oddity, here in the Barossa it has formed part of an iconic tradition, with the cult following to match. Celebrations, especially those involving a sumptuous, cooked breakfast just aren’t the same without a bottle of bubbly Shiraz. Try some on Christmas morning with bacon & eggs and you’ll never look back – guaranteed! The Barossa is without a doubt Shiraz country, so it only makes sense that an enterprising winemaker would, sooner rather than later, pay homage to the Seppelts and begin making their own version of ‘Sparkling Burgundy’. By no means did the Barossa create Sparkling Shiraz, but there is no doubt that we have adopted it, taken it into our hearts as our own. It has all the festivity of sparkling white, with a deep edge that’s gutsy enough to pair well with all those smallgoods the Barossa is so famous for. What’s not to love? So, to make Sparkling Shiraz you take Shiraz and just add bubbles, right? Well, essentially, yes, but the creation of this favourite fizz is actually quite the labour of love, requiring twice as much attention as its still counterpart. Here, at Turkey Flat we look to the French for inspiration, opting for the traditional method, whereby bubbles are created by a secondary ferment rather than merely carbonating the wine. We reap the rewards of this delicate, time-consuming process by way of dramatically increased quality in complexity, mouthfeel and bead.

The Adelaide Fringe Festival is coming to the Barossa! Seating at this outdoor event will be picnic style. For your comfort please bring your own picnic rug, or low beach style chair. In the event of inclement weather, fear not! We have shelter plans ready to implement as required.

Wine of the week It's a great time of year to start thinking about drinking rose and this is one of my favourites. A blend of grenache shiraz cabernet and dolcetto. Brilliant bright pink colour with light red hues. Light and fresh palate with fine uplifting acid. Touches of Turkish Delight and strawberry. Long clean palate and great current drinking. Serve it slightly chilled or when the weather gets really warm, throw in a couple of ice blocks, sit back and enjoy. 93/100