 
 Jam Jar Sweet Shiraz 2009 has been released in South Africa this week and we decided to see just how jammy this wine could be. The wine was created for Cape Classics, New York, by winemaker Bruwer Raats,with grapes sourced from Paarl. The wine has done extremely well in the USA, primarily due to the demand for sweeter, ripe fruit, jammy wines.
We did two tastings today, focusing on different age groups and levels of experience. Our first group comprised of first year students from the International Hotel School with an average age of 18 ½ yrs, while the second group were experienced tasters with an average age of 48yrs. The overall feedback and scores were positive from both groups, both agreeing that the wine was fruity, easy drinking and a great way to introduce newcomers to red wine. Sweet entry, fruity and and smooth mid-palate character with an alcohol of 12,5%
The brand’s packaging has a nostalgic, “retro†feel inspired by classic red and white checkered jam jar lids. Jam Jar Sweet Shiraz displays aromas and flavors of ripe blueberries, blackberries and raspberries with dark chocolate undertones. The feedback regarding the packaging varied amongst the different age groups between cheap, inexpensive to attractive, picnic wine, exciting and enticing.Â
We asked the tasters if they would buy Jam Jar and most said not for own consumption, but 95% said they would buy it for a friend as it was unique, different and therefore interesting. Most SA red wines are made in a dry style, but there has been a noticable increase in residual sugar (RS)levels over the past few years, with levels moving over the 4g/l mark. Increased RS is undoubtedly a result of consumer and industry demand.
The Jam Jar is available from Pick ‘n Pay stores and retails for R39.95.
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