Region and Vineyards
Rockford’s Black Sparkling Shiraz is sourced from premium vineyards in South Australia’s Barossa Valley, one of the most renowned regions for bold, expressive Shiraz. The Barossa’s Mediterranean climate, with warm days and cool nights, allows Shiraz grapes to develop intense flavors while retaining freshness and balance.
The vineyards used for Black Shiraz include some of the oldest Shiraz vines in Australia, contributing to the wine’s remarkable depth and structure. The region’s rich ironstone and sandy loam soils enhance the fruit purity and tannin profile, making Barossa Shiraz particularly well-suited to the sparkling wine style.
Winemaking
The Rockford Black Sparkling Shiraz follows a meticulous, traditional winemaking process that has been refined over 35 years.
Each vintage, specific Shiraz parcels are selected and aged in oak barrels for two years before blending. A portion of the fresh vintage is then combined with Rockford’s Black Shiraz base blend, a continuously evolving cuvée that adds complexity and consistency to each bottling.
After blending, the wine undergoes secondary fermentation in the bottle, transforming it into a sparkling wine. This Méthode Traditionnelle approach ensures fine bubbles and a creamy texture. The wine is then aged on lees, before being hand-riddled, disgorged, and liqueured with Rockford’s own fortified Shiraz, adding a layer of richness and structure.
Since the wine is a multi-vintage blend, the date on the bottle refers to the disgorgement year, rather than the vintage of the fruit.
Tasting Notes
- Color: Deep crimson with a vibrant purple hue, showing the intensity of Barossa Shiraz.
- Aromas: Powerful and enticing, with notes of blackberry, dark cherry, plum, and black pepper, layered with hints of licorice, cocoa, and spice.
- Palate: Rich and full-bodied, delivering ripe black fruit, chocolate, and warm baking spices, balanced by fine tannins and vibrant acidity. The creamy mousse and persistent bead of bubbles enhance the opulent texture, leading to a long, smooth finish.
Did you know?
Sparkling Shiraz is one of Australia’s most distinctive wine styles, with origins dating back to the 1880s. Rockford’s Black Shiraz continues this tradition, preserving the heritage of the style while refining it with a level of craftsmanship rarely seen in sparkling reds.
Wine Pairing Ideas
- Glazed duck with cherry reduction – Complements the wine’s dark fruit and spice profile.
- Slow-cooked beef ribs with smoky barbecue sauce – Enhances the wine’s rich texture and tannin structure.
- Dark chocolate lava cake – Pairs beautifully with the wine’s cocoa and berry notes.
- Aged cheddar or blue cheese – Balances the effervescence and bold fruit flavors.
