The more reds we make with Barossa Valley Durif the more comfortable we become in saying, it has a long future in the valley. Perhaps not surprising as Durif is close genetically to Shiraz the favoured Barossa variety.
We may think of varieties as having an ancient history and while Shiraz is historic Durif can be dated to a recent 1868. It was in that year that Dr Durif named his cross breed of Shiraz with Peloursin after himself.
The Victorian vineyards were devastated by phylloxera and Durif was one of the varieties selected for replanting in the Rutherglen district in the early C20th. Rutherglen Durif developed a cult following from the 1970s. So when Barossa growers looked to trial new varieties, particularly from the 1980s, Durif was one of the many they selected.
If you enjoy Barossa Shiraz, Barossa Durif should become an extension of your drinking.
