One bottle that stood out amongst the rest at the New York Wine and Food Festival was the 2009 Jam Jar Sweet Shiraz. It was unlike anything else I've sipped before. It's a sweet red wine that's very different from a Port. It's not syrupy or thick, but smooth, full-bodied, and very fruity. The knowledgeable gentleman at the Drink South African table (the grapes are grown in South Africa's Paarl region) informed me that Jam Jar is best served slightly chilled. I couldn't agree more, the cold red was refreshing and perfectly balanced with neither too much sweetness or acidity. Jam Jar pairs wonderfully with dark chocolate, so if you are a fan of red wine and chocolate, I highly recommend this lovely Shiraz!
Happy Hour: 2009 Jam Jar Sweet Shiraz
One bottle that stood out amongst the rest at the New York Wine and Food Festival was the 2009 Jam Jar Sweet Shiraz.
If you're a red wine drinker, chances are, at some point you've come across Syrah, Shiraz, or both. Have you, like me, ever wondered what the exact difference is between the two? Syrah and Shiraz are different names for the same varietal, which comes from a dark-skinned red grape that grows well in warm climates worldwide. The way the grape is spelled tends to be an indicator of the wine's origin. 
