Syrah (Shiraz)
The Syrah grape is also called Shiraz in Australia and South Africa. This grape mainly is grown in warm and sunny regions. But no matter what you call this red grape, it produces very powerful, concentrated and fruity wines that can age for an eternity and are effortless to combine with most dishes. Partly because of its ability to easily combine with many dishes, this grape has become a quite popular grape throughout the world.
Taste
The wines are fruity. Depending on the ripeness of the wine and the grapes, you will either get a focus on red fruit (raspberry) or black fruit (blackberry, cherries). Characteristic is the spiciness (e.g. pepper and cloves) and dark chocolate, smoke, animal (leather) and even some chemical (rubber) elements. The Syrah grape can give wines a lot of complexity.
Where does the Syrah grape variety come from?
Because the northern Rhône Valley is one of the oldest growing areas for Syrah, one could assume that this is also the home of the grape variety. But in fact this is not certain. There is still the theory that the grape comes from Iran. Namely from the city of Shiraz. How the variety then came to France is completely unknown. The only thing that is certain is that it then spread from the Rhône Valley, mainly in the south of France.
Incidentally, in France the grape variety is not called Shiraz, but Syrah. And that is quite important. This is because in the wine world, the two different names are associated with two completely different wine styles. But before we tell you more about these, let's first look at where Shiraz is called Shiraz.
Syrah worldwide
It is quite rare to be able to determine exactly when a grape variety was first planted in a country. But when it comes to Australia and Shiraz, it is in fact very well documented. When James Busby emigrated to Australia in 1833, he had Syrah vines in his luggage, as his immigration documents show. Thanks to the warm climate and the diverse soils, Shiraz has become an iconic grape variety here.
Of course, the grape variety can now also be found in many other countries. A whopping 181,000 hectares worldwide are planted with Shiraz or Syrah. France is the leader with 62,000 hectares. In Australia, there are 38,000 hectares – although the wines from Down Under are at least as well known as their French counterparts. There are also very large Shiraz growing areas in Spain, Argentina, South Africa and the USA. Yes, even in the German Palatinate, the grape variety is successfully cultivated!
What does Syrah taste like?
At this point, we have to go into a little detail. After all, it is not without reason that the grape variety has two different names. They also combine two completely different flavour profiles. In general, it can be said that the wines always combine fruity notes of cassis, blackberry, plum and black cherry, as well as black pepper and black olive. But depending on the style, these are very differently pronounced.
French Syrahs are often slimmer, more elegant and spicier. They have a firm structure with pronounced tannins and a lively acidity. Earthier notes such as olives or leather are typical. The alcohol content is moderate (approx. 13 vol. %), which makes them heartier and less opulent. Australian Shiraz wines, on the other hand, are more powerful, fruit-forward and softer. They have a higher alcohol content (often over 14% vol.) and a creamy texture. The tannins are smoother, which makes the wine ready to drink earlier. In addition, you often find flavours such as dark chocolate, blueberries, cherries and coconut.
What are the ideal growing conditions for Syrah?
Syrah prefers sunny and dry regions, as the grapes require a lot of warmth to fully ripen. A hot climate promotes the development of sugar and thus the alcohol content and the concentration of aromas. This is precisely why the grape variety thrives in Australia and the Rhône region. Shiraz is not very frost-resistant, which is why it thrives better in regions with mild winters. Temperatures below -15 °C can cause significant damage.
Syrah prefers well-drained soils with sufficient moisture but without waterlogging. Soils that are too fertile should be avoided as they can promote excessive growth and impair the quality of the grapes. In Australia, for example, red clay soils contribute to the intensity of the wines. Shiraz is a robust grape variety that can adapt well to different climatic conditions. This explains why it is grown worldwide, from France to Australia, South Africa and South America.
Which growing regions are known for Syrah?
We have already revealed that the Rhône Valley and Australia produce the best wines from the grape. Nevertheless, it is worth taking a closer look, because other countries and regions also produce fascinating wines from Shiraz or Syrah.
- Northern Rhône Valley, France. In appellations such as Hermitage, Côte-Rôtie, Cornas and Saint-Joseph, Syrah is often the only authorised red wine variety. The wines from this region are elegant, spicy and complex, with notes of black pepper, violet and dark fruits. They are characterised by a lively acidity and excellent ageing potential.
- Barossa Valley, Australia. The Barossa Valley is the most famous Shiraz growing region in Australia and is often referred to as the ‘heartland’ of Shiraz. The wines are powerful, fruity and full-bodied with aromas of ripe plums, blueberries, chocolate and vanilla. They often have a high alcohol content.
- McLaren Vale, Australia. This region is located south of Adelaide and is known for its Shiraz wines with great complexity. The wines from McLaren Vale combine a full fruit body with a velvety texture and spicy notes. They are often somewhat more elegant than the wines from the Barossa Valley.
- Stellenbosch, South Africa. Stellenbosch is one of South Africa's most important wine-growing regions and is known for its high-quality Shiraz wines. The wines display a balance between fruit flavours (blackberries, plums) and spicy notes such as pepper and cloves. There are often smoky nuances as well.
- Heathcote, Australia. Special features: a small Australian region in Victoria known for its mineral-rich Shiraz wines. Wines from Heathcote are elegant, with a fine acidity and notes of dark berries and herbs.
What food goes well with Syrah?
Shiraz is a classic companion to grilled meats such as steaks, lamb chops or pork ribs. The roasted aromas of the meat perfectly complement the smoky and spicy notes of the wine. Full-bodied Shiraz wines go extremely well with succulent stews such as beef roulades or roasts with aromatic sauces. Intense-tasting game dishes such as venison or wild boar harmonise perfectly with the complex aromas of Shiraz.
A fruity and spicy Syrah, on the other hand, goes well with pasta with meat bolognese or tomato sauces, as the acidity of the wine balances the tomato flavours. Incidentally, mature hard cheeses such as Cheddar, Gouda, Parmesan or Gruyère go extremely well with Shiraz wines. The salty and nutty flavours of the cheese complement the fruitiness and spiciness of the wine. Due to the tannins of Shiraz, mild soft cheeses should be avoided.
3 fun facts about Syrah
- In Australia, they even make sparkling red wine out of Shiraz! Down Under, the so-called Red Sparkling is a real cult drink.
- Shiraz has been cultivated in South Africa since the 17th century. Today, it is one of the country's most important red grape varieties.
- With around 181,000 hectares under cultivation, Shiraz is one of the top 10 most frequently cultivated grape varieties worldwide.