We tend to identify a wine district with the varieties and wine styles it does well. In the case of the French district Sancerre we associate it with a firm crisp white with unusual depth of flavour made from Sauvignon Blanc. They could grow other varieties which would make very good wines yet the growers are happy with one variety. A long-time back Sancerre grew table grapes for the Paris markets then that trade moved south to the Mediterranean as a train route pushed down into this warmer climate
The Barossa Valley is identified with Shiraz and only since the 1990s have other varieties like Mataro and Grenache gained a small following. What the Barossa also does well is make warm climate whites and Riesling and Semillon are exquisite yet have fallen from favour to those from cooler regions. Both should be resurrected. What is exciting is the recent revival of the 1950s Barossa Roses made from blending Mataro and Grenache. I’m glad this happened before I became too old to drink. There is a luxurious quality about warm climate roses, and they belong on your table.
