Syrah

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
  
• 
  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

1. Called Syrah in most of the world, the name “Shiraz” became the typical name for this grape in Australia.
2. DNA profiling confirmed that this grape originated along the Rhône in France.
3. From the 1980s to the mid-2000s, Syrah increased in planted hectares from approximately 10,000 ha. to over 450,000 ha.
4. Syrah makes some of the darkest red wine in the world.
5. Syrah has extremely tough skin, prompting winemakers to to soak the grapes in gold water for days or even weeks.

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.