Penfolds Grange

Barossa Valley, Australia

Australia's most iconic wine — created by Max Schubert in 1951 against company orders, briefly discontinued, then revealed to be Australia's greatest wine. Grange is a multi-vineyard, multi-region Shiraz (and small amount of Cabernet Sauvignon) blended from the finest barrels of the vintage. In great years it sources from Barossa, Magill Estate (Adelaide suburban vineyard — heritage site), McLaren Vale, and sometimes Clare Valley. 100% new American oak for 20 months. Capable of 40-50 years ageing in great vintages.

Pairing intelligence

• main: Penfolds Grange belongs with Australia's finest table; the indigenous bush tomato sauce echoes the wine's sun-ripened depth
• cheese: Grange's complexity and weight matches the sharpness of aged Australian clothbound cheddar; quince bridges the dark fruit
• celebration: Grange is Australia's most iconic wine; a whole-roasted native cattle breed demands this scale of wine
• main: Grange's enormous concentration and dark fruit need a preparation of equal weight. The slow-roasted lamb shoulder at 6 hours develops the fat-rendered richness to support Grange's power. Pomegranate molasses bridges to Grange's plum-dark fruit. This is Garth's personal pairing memory from working with Australian lamb.
• main: Grange's Barossa Shiraz icon belongs with Australia's finest beef; native pepper berry bridges the wine's powerful spice
• cheese: The power of Grange requires equally powerful cheese — a mild cheese is overwhelmed. Washed-rind's pungency and umami depth match Grange's concentration. The American oak vanilla in the wine softens the cheese's ammonia character. Australian wine with Australian cheese is the cultural bridge.
• cheese: American oak vanilla in Grange bridges the aged Cheddar's butterscotch depth; iron and leather echo the cheese's sharp, aged intensity; blackberry provides fruity counterpoint.
• main: Iron and leather in Grange mirror kangaroo's iron-dense game character; native pepper berry echoes the wine's spice; eucalyptus provides a botanical bridge.