Syrah/Shiraz Essentials

WineGrapes
Written By Nathan Frye

Syrah is one of the world’s greatest noble grape varieties. Its versatility is unmatched in the world of red wines and it provides beautifully unique styles the world over; from the Northern Rhone Valley to Paso Robles, Washington State to Chile, and Sonoma County to Australia.

Styles

Regions with cooler climates tend to produce a lighter and more savory style of Syrah, with flavors of tart red fruit, black plum, pepper, olive, tobacco, and spice. Areas with warmer climates can produce a boisterously rich and fruity style of Syrah, featuring flavors of ripe blackberry, blueberry, licorice, clove, and vanilla. There is a style of Syrah for every wine lover!

History

Syrah, the offspring of the red Dureza grape and the white Mondeuse Blanche grape, has been grown in France’s Northern Rhône Valley since Roman times, and today still rules the region. Centuries ago, Syrah from the Rhône Valley was used to darken the wines from Bordeaux’s maritime climate.

Syrah and Shiraz are different names for exactly the same grape, Shiraz is just the Australian term for the grape. Australia has fully embraced Shiraz as its flagship grape variety for decades and is home to the world’s oldest continuously productive Shiraz vines - planted in 1843.

 Food + Wine

Syrah has an affinity for bold red meat dishes like beef stew, wild game, and all manner of grilled meats. It is also the ideal wine choice when making a beef demi-glace reduction! Syrah grown in cooler climates and with less new oak treatment are excellent with charcuterie, savory sausages, venison, roast chicken, and all sorts of mushroom-driven dishes. Syrah grown in warmer climates and subject to new oak treatment stands up well to braised meat stews, barbecue beef ribs, bacon cheeseburgers, lamb ragout with olives and peppers, and juicy steaks!

four images of foods that pair with syrah; from left a charcuterie board, a roast chicken, ribs, Asian stir-fry with rice

Did You Know?

  • Syrah is the red wine grape that rules France’s Northern Rhône Valley!

  • Syrah has been grown in the Rhône Valley since Roman times

  • Syrah and Shiraz are the same grape, though their styles can be very different
    Shiraz is the Australian word for the French grape Syrah

  • Syrah is the offspring of the red Dureza grape and the white Mondeuse Blanche grape

  • The grape and name “Shiraz” may have originated from the ancient Persian city of Shiraz

  • Syrah and the obscure Peloursin grape are Petite Sirah’s parents

  • Australia is home to the world’s oldest continuously productive Shiraz vines - planted in 1843

  • Centuries ago, Syrah from France’s Rhône Valley was used to darken the wines of Bordeaux

Nathan Frye

At the age of twenty-one, Nathan began his career in the wine industry in Boulder, Colorado, and has continued to work in managerial capacities in wine retail and distribution for over 25 years. He holds a master’s degree in marketing and instructional design from the University of Denver, an undergraduate degree in Sociology, and various wine industry credentials, including Diploma in Wines (Wine & Spirit Education Trust), Certified Wine Educator (Society of Wine Educators), Certified Sommelier (Court of Master Sommeliers), and French Wine Scholar (French Wine Society).  

Nathan has worked as an adjunct wine instructor at Johnson & Wales Culinary University and has served as a wine judge for the Denver International Wine Competition. 

Have wine bug, will travel - since 2003, Nathan has visited dozens of winegrowing regions in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, New Zealand, Australia, Argentina, Chile, Croatia, California, and Oregon. He spent a year living in South America where he interned as a cellar rat at a Malbec-only winery in Mendoza. He also conducted wine education seminars for a South American travel company.

Previous

Wines of Austria
Next

Malbec Essentials