


5 Surprising Facts about Syrah:

1. In 2004, Syrah was the 7th most planted varietal in the world. Today it is estimated that Syrah is now 5th most planted wine grape in the world.Montes Alpha Syrah 2010 B


3. In 1998, DNA testing at UC Davis in California and Montpellier concluded that Syrah is the off-spring of two vines from southeast France, Dureza and Mondeuse Blanche. Both of these vines are relatively obscure today.

4. Syrah or Shiraz? In its country of origin, France, it is known as Syrah. It is also labeled Syrah in the rest of Europe, United States, Argentina, Chile and New Zealand. In Australia, it is called Shiraz.

5. Syrah owes most of its claim to fame to Hermitage, the famous northern Rhone appellation in France. Extremely limited quantities from small parcels of land produced long-lived red wines that fetched high prices.

Australian Shiraz is hugely popular worldwide with its full-body, deep colour, high alcohol, low tannin, fruit forward style wines.

Until the late 1980s, Australia commonly used the term Hermitage but dropped this label since Hermitage is a protected French origin of designation. The Shiraz label is also commonly used in South Africa and Canada.

Australia is the world’s second largest grower of Syrah (Shiraz) and it is the number one varietal in Australia.

Alamos Syrah 2012 BThe 1980s and 1990s success of such names as Lindemans, Rosemount, Jacob’s Creek, Yellowtail and Wolf Blass attributed to this ranking. Shiraz is also the S in Australia’s GSM blended wines, Grenache-Shiraz-Mourvedre, a Chateauneuf-du-Pape like blend.

Syrah has many attractive characteristics that make it such a huge success around the world. Syrah is generally disease resistant and easy growing with dark ruby colour, highly tannic, great ability to age, high acidity, attractive blackberry and dark chocolate notes.

Cool- and medium-climate Syrah also produce notes of mint, eucalyptus, smoked meat and black pepper.

Warm climate Syrah produces less tannic, higher alcohol, more pepper, less smoke , licorice, fruit forward wines. Think Aussie Shiraz from Barossa Valley. Aging brings forward leather, earthiness and wet leaf aromas.

In the southern Rhone Valley, Syrah is typically blended with Grenache, Mourvedre, Carignan and/or Cinsault. It is one of the 13 permitted grapes in prestigious Chateauneuf-du-Pape.

In Provence, Syrah is usually blended with Cabernet Sauvignon. In the northern Rhone, Syrah is rarely blended. A general rule of thumb: Syrah labeled wines take on a more elegant, smoky, tannic French style. Shiraz labeled wines a more fruit forward, sweeter, less tannic New World style.

Syrah food pairings include grilled and charred red meats, game, BBQ sauced spareribs, hamburgers and steak.

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