The Barossa Valley climate is ideal for producing good crops of grapes that reach exceptional sugar levels and have plenty of colour. Historically these were used to produced fortified wines of high quality, particularly port. The three favoured varieties were Grenache, Shiraz and Mataro. I refer to these as the Barossa heritage varieties and many vines of great age survive.

Shiraz forms the stable known base. Grenache has alcoholic strength but less palate taste and brings to the blend beguiling aromas and a different palate impression to Shiraz. Yet what are these two without Mataro which maintains order by rearranging both and providing a strength of character particularly on the back palate. Still the genius of this wine remains the Grenache.

Bit by bit the status of Mataro is growing with Glug seeing Mataro as a variety of great significance from warm climate regions.

The best way to sample the taste of Grenache and Mataro is with a GSM blend. Glug have been supporters of this style since our beginning and customers are steadily moving from curiosity to regular enjoyment.