Homeless Grapes Project Shiraz 2018

A few months ago I shared with you the Vinomofo Homeless Grapes Project and the fabulous Chardonnay that they brought out for all of us to enjoy for a great cause. Now I bring to you the next instalment of this incredible initiative to combat homelessness. For all you red drinkers (or dislikers of Chardonnay) out there, the Homeless Grapes Project Shiraz 2018 is for you. In fact, even if you don’t love red wine, or still like Chardonnay but don’t discriminate, this wine if for you. Because at the end of the day, you can happily sip on this bottle and feel good knowing you are supporting a good cause. And any cause that I can get behind by drinking wine is well and truly up my alley.

What is the Homeless Grapes project?

For all of you that may not know about it, Vinomofo started the Homeless Grapes project in 2015 by jumping on an opportunity to take a surplus of grapes from Jock Harvey from Chalk Hill Wines for a donation to charity. Vinomofo decided to instead donate 100% of the profits to charity in an effort to combat homelessness across Australia. What started as one Facebook post has turned into a project that has expanded across wine regions – this year it’s the Yarra Valley, McLaren Vale and Coonawarra which supports local charities in each area.

What I love so much about this project is the community around it. Everyone pitches in to make this wine happen, from the donators of grapes to the winemaker who produces the wine, to the community members who come out and pick the grapes. It is a great cause that brings people together to make a difference. And the best part is, this loving effort from everyone ends up producing a cracking bottle of wine in the end that we can all purchase to make a difference even if we can’t go and pick grapes.

So let’s talk about the Homeless Grapes Project Shiraz 2018

The next wine that Vinomofo has released in the Homeless Grapes Project from the 2018 vintage is the Shiraz from McLaren Vale. It’s come about through the support and hard work of Jock Harvey from Chalk Hill Wines, Dudley Brown and Irina Santiago-Brown from Inkwell Wines and winemaking by Alexia Roberts from Penny’s Hill. Along with a whole heap of helpers who picked the grapes, of course.

All proceeds of the sales of this wine go to Hutt St Centre. This charity works with those who are homeless or living in poverty in South Australia. In particular, they work with those excluded from other services and with complex problems. They help the people who are at risk of falling through the gaps who are isolated. It truly is great work that the Hutt St Centre is doing, and through purchases of the Homeless Grapes Project Shiraz 2018, you’ll be helping them keep doing great work.

I’m a sucker for a good deal, and when it makes me feel warm and fuzzy to buy wine, it really is guilt free. But at $20 a bottle, this wine is an absolute steal for an absolutely delicious drop. Add on the fact that you can feel good about opening your wallet for it, and you’ve really got a no brainer purchase. I mean it’s basically the perfect excuse to buy more delicious wine, especially when the bottle tastes as good as the Homeless Grapes Project Shiraz 2018.

Why I love it

Well, I could go on about the warm fuzzies all day, but truthfully the real reason I love this wine is how good it is. I’m sometimes a little hesitant on Shiraz, particularly from South Australia as it can be quite heavy. I definitely still enjoy it, but I find I often need food to really enjoy it, and I also need to be in a heavy wine mood. But the Homeless Grapes Project Shiraz 2018 blew me away. Honestly, it is such a delicious Shiraz and the perfect happy medium between the bold heaviness of regions like the Barossa and something light and easy drinking.

The aroma of the wine is blackberry, plum and blackcurrant. It feels quite heavy on the nose, so I have to admit I was a little sceptical about my decision to crack it open without food (I just couldn’t wait you see). This fruit profile is however nice and pleasant on the nose and has a hint of black pepper spice to round it out and keep things interesting.

However, when you taste the Homeless Grapes Project Shiraz 2018, you’ll find you aren’t slapped in the face by flavour. In fact, it is actually a very smooth, slow burn of deliciousness that lingers long after you have a sip. It’s really well balanced by a good amount of tannin. This produces a medium body, and with flavours of plum and cherry, it still has great depth. The tannin also means it could easily be put away for a few years to enjoy in the years to come.

What to enjoy it with

Because the Homeless Grapes Project Shiraz 2018 is a medium-bodied wine it means you can easily enjoy it with and without food. These sorts of wines are my favourite because it means I don’t have to think too hard about whether I need to pair them with something. I certainly enjoyed this one without food, particularly as we come into the cooler winter months and my red wine consumption skyrockets.

However, if you were to enjoy this with food, meats would be the way to go, as is always the way with Shiraz. Think BBQs with friends, delicious steak with a salad, or even pizza. I think this wine would be best with something not too complicated, as it has such a delicious and deep flavour to it.

The final word

The Homeless Grapes Project Shiraz 2018 is great for two reasons. Firstly, it is truly a good cause where sales of the wine are helping those in need. But it is also great because it is a delicious wine. So by purchasing it, you’re helping others, but you’re also helping yourself by buying yourself great wine to fill your belly with. It truly is a win-win.

The Homeless Grapes Project Shiraz 2018 is perfect for those lovers of medium-bodied wines, or those looking for a wine that they can enjoy with or without food. It is full of flavour but well balanced with a good amount of tannin and a long lingering flavour. Truly perfect before, during or after dinner.

You can grab this wine from Vinomofo now in packs of 6 at only $20 a bottle. It’s such a great price for a delicious wine that is for a good cause. And with all proceeds going to Hutt St Centre you’ll feel good about opening your wallet for this delicious wine too!