A rich, powerful, and sometimes meaty red wine that originated in the Rhône Valley of France. Syrah is the most planted grape of Australia, where they call it Shiraz.
Primary Flavors
- Blueberry
- Black Plum
- Milk Chocolate
- Tobacco
- Green Peppercorn
Taste Profile
Handling
-
SERVE
60–68°F / 15-20°C
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GLASS TYPE
Universal -
DECANT
1 Hour -
CELLAR
10+ Years
Food Pairing
Darker meats and exotic spices bring out the fruit notes of Syrah. Try it with Lamb Shawarma, Gyros, Asian 5-spice pork, and even Indian tandoori meats.
Fun Facts About Syrah Wine
- Called Syrah in most of the world, the name “Shiraz” became the typical name for this grape in Australia.
- DNA profiling confirmed that this grape originated along the Rhône in France.
- From the 1980s to the mid-2000s, Syrah increased in planted hectares from approximately 10,000 ha. to over 450,000 ha.
- Syrah makes some of the darkest red wine in the world.
What To Look for in Syrah Wine
When you taste Syrah you’ll be greeted with a punch of flavor that tapers off and then has a spicy peppery note in the aftertaste.
Because of its front-loaded style, Syrah is often blended with grapes that add more mid-palate, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, to help make the wine taste more complete.
Syrahs from Italy and France tend to have more acidity and earthy-herbaceous aromas. Syrah wines from Australia, The U.S. and South America usually have more fruit-driven characteristics with lots of spice.
How Much Should You Expect to Spend?
Good value for Syrah exists around the $50 mark, and great examples of the wine can range into the hundreds of dollars. The most important part is considering where the wine comes from and what characteristics you should expect.