Shiraz/Syrah

Red wine delicacy

Shiraz, more commonly known as Syrah, originates from Persia/Iran. It got the name Syrah from the word ‘Syracuse,’ which is a city located in Sicily, and was of great importance to the Greeks during their era. This grape variety was formed by breeding Dureza and Mondeuse Blanche together.

Syrah is a quite popular type of wine and is grown all over the world. Some notable regions that plant and harvest Syrah are France, Australia, Spain, and South Africa.

Shiraz/Syrah (Syracuse)

The grape of Shiraz itself is thick-skinned, so it is not prone to getting sunburnt. It is due to this that this variety prefers to grow in hotter, sunny climates to allow the fruit to ripen fully. It also prefers to grow on elevated, hilly areas with sparse soil.

Shiraz/Syrah Taste Profile

The wine is quite rich in flavor, with distinguishable aromas and color. It is quite easy to recognize it because of its distinct qualities, a few of which are mentioned below:

Colour

The grape is thick-skinned and red. The Syrah wine itself has a reddish-purplish hue.

Flavors & Aromas

Flavors and aromas of Syrah will depend on the environment they were grown in, as well as on the winemaker itself. However, some common flavors are tobacco, blueberry, milk chocolate, green peppercorn, and black plum. It may also have blackberry and jam flavors to it. Smoky notes of herbs, bacon, vanilla, dried cranberry, and leather are also present in Syrah.

Spice

Spicy and smoky notes of white and black pepper are quite distinct in Syrah.

Taste

The wine is quite dry and has medium-high tannins.

Wine Structure

Syrah’s wine structure reveals medium-high acidity, dry sensation, abv of 13.5-15%, low to medium-high tannins, and full body.

Other properties

Oak: French, American, and European oak barrels

Age ability: Syrah has an excellent ability to age. Most can be aged for up to 5-9 years; however, some higher quality wines can be stored for up to 12-25 years.

Other flavors: cured meat, tobacco, vanilla, mint, olive, rosemary, licorice, pepper

Serving temp: Cool to cold (60-68 °F | 15-20 °C)

Taste profile

The typical Shiraz is medium-high acidic, has medium-high tannins, is full-bodied, and has plum, blueberry, and blackberry notes**.**

Common regions to find Pinot Noir

• France – Cornas
• Spain – Toro
• Italy – Sicily
• The United States – Columbia Valley
• Australia – Limestone Coast
• Chile – Maipo Valley
• Argentina – Mendoza

Summary

Shiraz, or Syrah, is a rich, full-bodied wine adored by most wine lovers, if not all. It contains antioxidants and is quite meaty. The name of the wine itself will differ from region to region. Its versatility and aging ability make it stand out from other wines. Syrah can be enjoyed with foods that are bold and rich in flavors such as spicy barbecues, shawarma, Indian dishes like chicken tandoori, stews, creamy kinds of pasta, and mushroom rice. Roast, grilled, and braised meats are also a great pairing for this wine.