International Syrah Day is celebrated on February 16th, a few days after Valentine’s Day so no better time to celebrate this noble grape. Sign up for the free virtual wine class: “All About Syrah” on Thursday, February 16th from 7-8:30pm EST on Zoom to learn more about this grape and receive some awesome food pairings to go with it. It will be an open discussion along with Q&A throughout the class. Visit the contact page on this site and submit your email to sign up for the Zoom link. We will also give you the bottle of Syrah we will be pouring and tasting during the class so we can taste together and come up with tasting notes. Hope to see you there!
This dark and powerful red is rich in flavor and smooth in acid and tannins with a peppery, spicy finish. It can be sometimes described as ‘meaty’ and ‘savory’. Some other common descriptors could be ‘juicy’, ‘lush’, and ‘spice-driven’. Syrah “sear-ah” is a lesser known, heavier red wine than Cabernet Sauvignon because it isn’t one-dimensional or highly commercial. It really tests the terroir, viticulturist, and winemaker because it is demanding in the vineyard and requires lots of heat and sunshine (the French use galets, which are small rocks that absorb heat, which helps with ripening).
It originated in the Rhone Valley of France, but is also common in Chateauneuf du Pape (Southern Rhone, used to add structure) and Languedoc-Roussillon (Southern France), and is the most planted grape in Australia, where it is known as Shiraz. California, Washington State, Spain, Argentina, and South Africa produce a lot of Syrah/Shiraz as well. You will sometimes see it in the marketplace as a part of a blend called GSM Blend (Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre) in Northern Rhone and other places or Red Blend, which can be any grapes.
Syrah and Shiraz are the same grape and share the same DNA profile. The difference is that it is Syrah in France and other Old World wine regions (won’t tell you it’s Syrah on label), and it is known as Shiraz in Australia and South Africa. (Much like Pinot Noir is known as Pinot Nero in Italy.) Even though the grape is the same, Australian Shiraz wines are fruitier than the floral and dense French Syrah wines.
It grows best in dry and warm climates. That’s why the best Syrah vineyard plots of northern Rhone are found at the hilltops of Cote Rotie’s “Roasted Slope” and in Hermitage. The hilltops get maximum exposure to the sun, and the soils are well-drained with a little limestone. The limestone retains the heat and produces concentrated Syrah grapes.
They are good as young wines because of their high acidity. These acids make them taste lighter than they actually are even though it is considered a full-bodied wine. They age well (7-10 years), but close up in the middle years so wait a while. Australian Shiraz is a great example. When they are ready, you get lovely aromas and flavors of truffle, mushroom, dried leaves and tobacco, and currant, which require keen attention to detail – a thinker’s wine. Syrah wine is also a favorite among wine collectors for its remarkable age-worthiness.
Most modern winemakers are making a lighter, French-style of Syrah that’s lower in alcohol and more layered in its flavor profile. Sonoma in California is one example of moving in that direction. But France has been working with Syrah for centuries and has mastered it. Try a light and less expensive Syrah from smaller appellations like Crozes-Hermitage or Saint Joseph in the Rhone Valley and then work your way up to a fine Cote-Rotie, elegant Hermitage, and a fierce Cornas, which can be expensive. Unfortunately, some of the better Syrahs from France and Shiraz from Australia are not being imported to the US.
Food Pairing – Darker meats and exotic spices bring out the fruit notes of blueberry, blackberry, black cherry, boysenberry, and plum from Syrah. Try it with Indian tandoori, spiced pork, lamb gyros, French and Spanish cuisine, and for some, a great steak (with mushrooms especially), grilled veggies, Epoisses cheese, and dark chocolate.
Great vintages –
US (California, Central Coast) – 2019
US (California, North Coast) – 2019
Australia Shiraz (Barossa Valley/McLaren Vale) – 2016 – 2019
France (Northern Rhone reds) – 2015 – 2020
Recommended Wines (highest-rated and affordable). Not sure their availability where you live. Just google and search or ask clerk at the wine store for the best Syrah). French Syrah are generally expensive so expect to pay more than $50/$60.
Holus Bolus 2020 Prequ’ile Vineyard Syrah (Santa Maria Valley) – $40
Future Perfect 2021 The Joy Fantastic Vineyard Syrah (Sta. Rita Hills) – $68
Thacher 2019 Homestead Hill Vineyard Syrah (Paso Robles, Willow Creek District) – $52
Epiphany 2019 Thompson Vineyard GSM Blend (Santa Barbara County) – $45
Dossier 2021 Syrah Rose (Columbia Valley) – $28
Drum Roll 2018 Seurat Syrah Syrah (Columbia Valley) – $18 (BEST BUY)
Dave Harvey 2020 Syrah (Columbia Valley) – $26 (BEST BUY)
Auclair 2019 Artz Vineyard Syrah (Red Mountain) – $35
Echolands 2019 Syrah (Walla Walla Valley) – $38
Cheers,
Michael