Tag: wine education

Getting to Know the Long Island Wine Region of NY

Long Island Region of Ny AVA
February
4
2025
by Michael Nagy

On the largest island in the contiguous US, you will find diverse wine styles from well-structured red wines to refreshing white, rosé, and sparkling wines. The North Fork of Long Island, which is located 75 miles east of New York City, is known for its tranquil waterfront charm, pebble beaches, lush farmland and rich vegetation, and wealth of family-run and sustainable vineyards.

The Long Island American Viticultural Area (AVA) has a similar maritime climate to the classic Bordeaux Region of France due to its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. With being surrounded by water, the area is well protected from the cold and harsh winter seasons and the hottest summers, which is ideal for growing Bordeaux-type varieties.

Unlike other regions in New York, Long Island has always focused on Vitis vinifera grapes because it’s a warmer climate. It doesn’t have to focus just on cool climate and hybrid varieties. Even though it has a warmer climate, Long Island has the tumultuous Atlantic Ocean influence, which is why many vineyards are located in the North Fork sub-region of Long Island. The vineyards here are protected by the Peconic Bay around the island.

Terroir

Terroir is a French term literally meaning ‘sense of place’ describing the growing conditions for wine grapes. As mentioned earlier, Long Island has a very similar climate to Bordeaux but is a little warmer. With more growing days and hours of sunshine, you might expect riper styles of wine. In fact, Long Island has the same latitude as hot Barcelona, Spain. However, because of the cold Atlantic Ocean, Long Island wines tend to be ripe, but not over ripe or jammy compared to traditional warm climates, like California, Spain, and Australia.

One of the other factors affecting grape-growing in Long Island is the higher amount of precipitation, but the free draining, indigenous sandy soils and glacial moraines remaining from the last Ice Age drain away any excess water. This prevents the grapes from becoming bloated causing increased sugar levels, which can be catastrophic for dry wines.

The combination of adequate sunshine, moderately warm weather, gravelly and sandy soils, and proximity to the ocean leads to juicy red wines that are not overly tannic, heavy, or high in alcohol. The resulting red wines have savory aromas and characteristics, and white wines are high in acid with a unique saline profile not found too often in other wine regions around the world.

Long Island AVA

Long Island Wines

There are Bordeaux varieties, such as Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon, but also traditional-method Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, some edgy styles of Pet Nat, and orange wines. Many of the wines, thanks to the cooling influence of the Atlantic, are lower in alcohol, around 11-12.5%, with lighter styles from Bordeaux and fresh fruit flavors.

Sub-Regions of Long Island

The main AVA is Long Island but, in reality, the main spot where most vineyards are planted is in North Fork, thanks to the protection of Peconic Bay. However, people can source grapes from the entire Island where you will see Long Island AVA on the label.

North Fork of Long Island

The North Fork of Long Island is warmer than the rest of Long Island (including the Hamptons) and receives more sunshine leading to wines with riper fruit flavors and fuller bodies, and often higher alcohol compared to other NY regions in New York. The North Fork of Long Island AVA was established in 1986, sixteen years before Long Island AVA.

Over the last 10 years or so, the North Fork has enjoyed a major evolution with critical acclaim from wine experts and the international wine community. I have become fascinated with the quality and versatility of their wines that I started to use North Fork wines for my company events and wine tastings with clients as well as enjoying them myself and in my travels. Look for their wines to be featured and reviewed here and on social media.

Horses Pet Nat Macari Vineyards

One winery in particular whom I’ve recently become an unofficial brand ambassador for is Macari Vineyards. Macari Vineyards, whose 500 acres features a beautiful and spacious tasting room and covered deck where top-end red flights, a bottle of the cult-favorite ‘Horses’ Pet-Nat, and award-winning Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Bergen Road Red Blend are paired with charcuterie, cheese, and other delicacies.

Macari’s wine estate, which is biodynamic and sustainable, is located in Mattituck overlooking scenic Long Island Sound. The property has been in the family for over 40 years spanning three generations using traditional farming methods. The family themselves nurture the soil and vines. Nearby, Meadowlark, Macari’s sister property, pours small-batch wines and hosts events. Visit their site at the hyperlink above. I look forward to a visit there soon.

The Hamptons of Long Island

Established in 1985, this southern part of the island is better known for celebrity beach houses and where affluent New Yorkers go to get away from it all. However, it’s also a great place for refreshing wines from Long Island, particularly rosé and sparkling wines. Cooler than the North Fork due to massive exposure to the Atlantic Ocean, you can expect higher acid content in the wine along with lighter styles and zesty white wines.

Quick Facts:

  • There are 90 Wineries in Long Island as of 2022.
  • Largest island in the contiguous United States.
  • Established May 15, 2001.
  • New vineyards planted in 1973 in North Fork sub-region.
  • 1815 acres of vineyards planted.
  • First vineyards were planted in the 1820s, but all succumbed to disease pressure.
  • Over half the planted acres in Long Island are in the dedicated sustainability program (LISW).
  • Merlot is the most planted grape variety in Long Island.

As the parent of the super popular Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc is often overshadowed by its own progeny. It also the parent of Merlot. However, this underrated grape produces some very good, complex, and food-friendly wines that are the best in the world mirroring those from Loire Valley and Bordeaux, France. Cab Franc is truly the signature red grape of Long Island and all of NY.

Wines made from Cab Franc range from light and quaffable to rich and tannic depending on both region and winemaking styles. Cool-climate examples from the Loire Valley, Finger Lakes, or Long Island can be lively and fresh with tart red fruit, green pepper notes, and better than average acidity.

They can be aged in stainless steel for a punchier red fruit expression and lighter style or in oak barrels to add hints of cedar, tobacco, and spice with fuller body. Cabernet Francs from warmer sites like Napa Valley and Paso Robles can result in bigger wines with juicy, ripe fruit, and typically a heavier oak influence with use of American or new oak barrels.

Cheers,

Michael Nagy, michael@michaelpour.com

Seasonal Spotlight: 5 Must-Try Wines for the Fall

Chenin Blanc wines
November
4
2024
by Michael Nagy

November and autumn season brings a different vibe to the world of wine, and certain wines belong on the table. The weather gets colder, the day gets shorter, and that chill in the air shouts comfort. Certainly, comfort can be felt through sweaters, pumpkin spice lattes, and comfort food, but what about wine. With campfires, apple picking, and the looming Thanksgiving holiday, there is a call for more complex, savory, and fuller bodied wines. It’s the season of homemade soups, stews, butternut squash, sweet potatoes, poached pears, and apple pies.

While we’re not quite ready for the heavy and tannic Cabernet Sauvignon or Barolo to carry us through winter, we need something more ‘chill’ and transitional to get us through shorter days and set the stage for winter. Some traditional fall favorites that are fantastic include Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Gamay Noir/Beaujolais. Try the Gamay Noir from Sheldrake Point Winery in the Finger Lakes. It is beautifully done!

Beaujolais Nouveau is a wonderful, light, and approachable red wine that is perfect as an introductory wine for non-red wine drinkers. It is made from the Gamay grape and originates from the Beaujolais region of France. It is celebrated worldwide and released every year at the end of November. Beaujolais is one of my favorite wines to sip all year long, especially on Thanksgiving, because it is very food-friendly with turkey dinner. I will discuss it further later this month.

Here are five under the radar lovely fall wines (two whites and three reds) that don’t get enough love in my opinion. They are not as obscure as you might think. If you would like to receive my recommendations, just give me a holler.

1. Chenin Blanc

Famous for its apple aromas and flavors, Chenin Blanc is a perfect match for autumn lovers. Just like apples can be used in a variety of sweet and savory dishes, this medium-bodied white wine is extremely versatile, and can be paired with a wide range of main courses. Try a glass of Chenin Blanc with a root vegetable salad, roasted chicken, or rich seafood. Look for it in the Loire Valley of France, South Africa (leading producer of Chenin Blanc worldwide), United States, California and some in Washington State.

2. Sémillon

A medium-bodied white wine from Bordeaux, France, which is often blended with Sauvignon Blanc, giving it a lush, mouth-filling, and zippiness for green and fall veggies. Some are produced in oak and aged in the barrel, which will give it notes of honey, almond, and a smooth texture. The grape has few tannins, medium acidity, medium body and some oily consistency. Depending on its origin, you will discover flavors of lemon, pear, or papaya. Look for it in the regions of Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux, Napa and Sonoma Valley, California, South Africa, and Columbia Valley, Washington State.

Barbera wine

3. Barbera

Although it doesn’t quite have the revered status of the Nebbiolo grape, Barbera is Northern Italy’s wine of the people and is never too far from the dinner table in the Piedmont region. In Piedmont, where Barbera is most expressed, Barolo and Barbaresco are the most recognizable names, but they are places as opposed to grape varieties. Both are produced from the Nebbiolo variety. Barbera, on the other hand, is the name of the grape variety itself.

Due to its pigmentation, Barbera can taste both rich and light-bodied, offering the berry and cherry notes in bigger wines, but goes down easily thanks to lively acidity. Oak-heavy styles have an extra touch of chocolate, vanilla and spice. Generally, it is going to be a lighter style of red (more approached) in context of other Italian reds. Look for it in California, US, and Argentina as well.

4. Primitivo/Zinfandel

This wine is jamming. Primitivo and Zinfandel are essentially the same grape. Primitivo in Italy and Zinfandel in the US and the rest of the world. The lighter, low-ABV styles of Primitivo have rose petal, sage, and black pepper flavors, The richer styles add a bit of smoke and jammy. Notes of cinnamon, raisin, chocolate, and tobacco make for an exquisite fall wine. Generally, Primitivo is medium to full-bodied, with medium to high tannins and low to medium acidity. It can carry a high-ABV in Italy compared to Zinfandel due to the warmer climate.

Zinfandel is a bold and fruit-forward wine that’s loved for its jammy fruit, smokiness, and exotic spice notes. It’s also made into a sweet rosé called White Zinfandel. Look for Zinfandel in regions of Lodi, Napa and Sonoma Valley, and Sierra Foothills, California, US, and Primitivo in Puglia, Italy.

Nathan K Cabernet Franc

5. Cabernet Franc

Cab Franc is the parent grape of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Carménère. It can be lighter or bolder depending on where it’s grown. If you prefer non-fruit-forward red wine offerings, then Cabernet Franc is your wine. There are more pronounced notes of red and black fruits, like strawberries, raspberries, and plums, in warmer climate versions, but in cooler climates, you will encounter herbaceous, mint, green bell pepper notes, chili pepper, peppercorns, crushed gravel, and earthiness. It is an awesome Thanksgiving wine that pairs with everything on the table because of its savory notes.

It is the signature red grape of the Finger Lakes region of New York, where I call home, and one of my favorite wines to drink no matter the occasion. Look for it in the Loire Valley of France, Colchagua Valley of Chile, Tuscany region of Italy (fruitier style), Sierra Foothills of California, US, and throughout New York State. Try all vintages of Cabernet Franc from Nathan K Wine Cellars, Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars, who does an oaked and unoaked version) and Damiani Wine Cellars in the heart of the Finger Lakes.

As mentioned earlier, please reach out if you want my recommendations for the wines listed above. It’s never too early to stock up on wine for the holidays or to enjoy now. Look for Thanksgiving wine pairings and Beaujolais Day post later this month.

Cheers,

Michael

michael@michaelpour.com

(717) 877-2729

What wines are we drinking right now?

Fall wine
October
29
2024
by Michael Nagy

Does the season of the year guide our wine preferences? 

Short answer, yes, absolutely! Is it socially acceptable to drink your favorite or go-to wine even if it is technically a seasonal sip? Yes! My recommendation is always – drink what you like, first and foremost, then consider expanding your palate to accommodate what you are feeling at the moment or what foods will best accompany the wine.

In the spring and summer months, many wine drinkers tend to drink rosé and whites for their lightness, aromatics, crispness, floral components, and refreshing traits. In the northern hemisphere, the release and anticipation of the new vintage of rosé wine coinciding with the beginning of spring. In the fall/winter months, wine drinkers will transition to drinking more red wine, heavier whites, like oaked Chardonnay, and fuller bodied wines.

The seasonal nature and availability of produce and food also dictates our pallet and wine pairing choices. For this fall, try different oaked chardonnays from around the globe, orange wines (more on these later), and red wines, like Pinot Noir, Merlot, Sangiovese, Valpolicella, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec. If you’re a fan of bubbly, you can drink it anytime.

Fall wine glass

What wine would you recommend for Fall? 

Being a wine lover, I certainly have my preferences as I’m sure you do as well, but I like to explore new wines, styles, and regions. I will reach for that bottle of red most of the time, but if I’m having wine with food, I will definitely try to enhance the experience by choosing a wine that pairs well.

For fall, I like to drink Rhone varietals such as Grenache (red), Syrah (red), and Viognier (white, similar in style to Chardonnay), and most reds, although I prefer lighter to medium styles most of the time. You can find really good Rhone blends (called GSM blends with the ‘M” referring to Mourvèdre) or single varietals from the US, France, Barossa Valley in Australia and South America.  More widely available than ever. Stylistically, all these Rhone varietals have vibrant fruit balanced with savory, spice, earthiness, herbal and vegetal flavors that pair very well with the flavors of fall, like cool climate vegetables that can be roasted, braised, or sauteed. Don’t be afraid to venture out and try different red wines, especially for your holiday events and gatherings. I think Cabernet Franc is a lovely turkey day wine with all the accompaniments and a very underrated wine overall. I like CF all year long.

Classic Reds

Classic reds are always in style and continue to be the season’s most popular wine choices. Not just because they are ‘red’ and are bolder and fuller than whites, but because the rich flavor profiles that can range from dark fruits to earthy undertones, robust reds provide the perfect accompaniment to the season’s hearty dishes like roasts, stews, and casseroles and holiday celebrations. These classics include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, or a red blend, like Bordeaux blend. If you opt for one of these, then try to find high quality ones (not necessarily the most expensive ones) in their category. Low quality vs. high quality fuller, red wines offer a very different experience.

Don’t forget about winter whites! 

Just because the sun and warm temperatures have hibernated for the season doesn’t mean you have to ditch white wine altogether. There are plenty of full-bodied, cozy whites that will work just as well as heavier reds with your fall cuisine and to drink by themselves. As mentioned earlier, an oaky Chardonnay always has a place at any holiday table. I look to Burgundy, France, Washington State, US, or South Africa for my Chard and Chablis for lighter/hybrid styles. Some trendy whites, like Viognier and Chenin Blanc are on the rise. When choosing your white wine in cooler weather, look for flavor profiles and textures that are rich, chewy, nutty, or creamy. These types of wines are usually fermented and/or aged in oak barrels and undergo malolactic fermentation, which gives them those traits.

Orange Wine

What other wines are trending right now? 

Orange wines have been growing trend the past few years. Orange wines have been around for a long time, dating back over 8000 years when, without modern wine making technology, all wines were fermented on the skins of the grapes, which is what gives wine its color. They were left in a pot to stew and ferment and the skins turned them a dark amber shade. Wine making was modernized in the 60s and 70s and the skins were removed to produce the lighter, fresher, cleaner style of common crisp whites like Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio we know today.

They are considered a ‘white wine’ that has been fermented with the skins on. Orange wines undergo a similar wine making process as reds where they are in contact with the skins during fermentation, so they take on the intensity of the colors and tannins, giving them a richer, heavier body. Today, there is a demand for orange wines to be less macerated, lighter, and fruitier, but still have some color and tannin structure. You will have to search hard to find orange wines in the marketplace, but if you like fuller bodied white wine, give them a try.

What else is trending in the wine world?

There is definitely a conscious shift toward natural, organic, vegan, and biodynamic wine and what that means. People are conscious about sulfite content, agricultural practices, and the environment. The grape skins used for orange wines are usually thicker and more resistant to pests and disease, so they are not treated as much and the tannins help protect them from oxidation, so they don’t need as much manipulation, sulfur or other preservatives. If this info is important to you, look for it on the back or front label or do a search online for bottles that are environmentally conscious.

Rosé wine is becoming more popular year-round evidenced by the hashtags #roseallday #roseeveryday all over social media and the internet. Many wineries are now producing different Rosés every year and experimenting with different grape combinations for them.

The public is more open to canned wine options these days, which started out of convenience, but has since lead to wineries putting higher quality products into this accessible format because of its popularity.

Pét-Nat (short for Petillant Natural) is a sparkling wine that has really taken off in colder climates. Unlike traditional champagne, it finishes its fermentation in the bottle and is not disgorged. Many different white grape varieties are used for this style of wine and can be a white blend.

Stocking your cellar/wine rack for Fall

The first thing you should do, as with other seasons, is to stock wines that you love to drink. From there, add wines that your family and close friends like just in case they visit unexpectedly or you have a last minute dinner party. Don’t be afraid to stock obscure wines or wines that seem interesting to you. Have fun with it! Take a chance – you might find something you never heard of and like it. I’m often asked what my favorite wine is. To me, it’s a loaded question because I like a lot of different wines (even though I will pull a red most of the time) and really depends on the occasion, what you’re feeling, and season (which is what this post is all about). Since most of my audience and guests are probably not wine experts, I try to introduce the world of wine to them one glass at a time. It’s amazing the excitement derived from people when they discover a new wine or style.

Try to curate your fall cellar with as many different wines as you can. Start with the most well-known grapes and wines and go from there. Here is an example – Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Champagne/Sparkling Wine, Rosé, Sauvignon Blanc/Sancerre, Pinot Gris/Grigio, Chardonnay (oaked), and Riesling (dry and semi-dry). If you would like to know what specific region or country of origin is best, just reach out. For the holiday season, chilling a nice dessert wine, like a Sauternes, ice wine, late harvest Riesling, or fortified wine, like Port, for dessert, is a nice touch and would impress your guests.

Some additional wines to stock up on for the season (reds) – Malbec, Syrah/Shiraz, Carmenere, Zinfandel, Grenache, Gamay/Beaujolais, Nebbiolo, Chianti, Lambrusco, Primitivo, Tempranillo/Rioja

We all look forward to holiday feasts and celebrations that come with the fall and winter months. Because no true celebration is complete without the perfect bottle or bottles of wine for you and your guests, I wanted to share these trends and options.

Follow me @themichaelpour on Instagram and The Michael Pour on Facebook to see more wine recommendations, advice, and inspiration. Sign up on the homepage with your email to receive notifications when articles are poured. Share with others who may enjoy this content.

Cheers,

Michael

Wine Spotlight: Getting to Know New Zealand Pinot Noir

New Zealand Pinot Noir
September
10
2024
by Michael Nagy

New Zealand is located in the middle of the South Pacific Ocean. The nearest landmass, Australia, is over 1,000 miles away. The country has two long islands plus hundreds of small offshore islands. New Zealand’s vineyards are the first on earth to see the sun because of its close location to the International Date Line. New Zealand is comprised of the North Island and the South Island and wine is made on both islands.

New Zealand’s wine industry is small by global wine standards. Even though wine production only accounts for about 1% of the world’s wine production, it is filled with exciting promise in the “New World” of wine. One of the coolest maritime wine regions, New Zealand vineyards are among the most southernly on the globe. Most New Zealand wines are at their most beautiful and best when they are young.

Maritime climates or oceanic climates near bodies of water help wine regions produce distinct wines. With moderate temperatures and small changes in the hottest and coldest months, rainfall throughout the year, and relatively long growing seasons, these climates produce wines with good acidity balanced with fruit, minerality, and earthy qualities.

Many of the world’s most important significant wine growing regions have similar climates, such as Bordeaux in France, Southern Chile, Australia’s Victoria, and the Cape in South Africa.

New Zealand is best known for its punchy Sauvignon Blancs, i.e. famous Kim Crawford brand, and earthy Pinot Noirs. Of all wine produced here, Sauvignon Blanc accounts for 70% and Pinot Noir only 10% (although Pinot plantings are on the rise). Pinot Noir is the mostly planted red grape in NZ making light-bodied and earthy wines and also used for producing the nation’s few sparkling wines.

These wines are direct and thoughtful, as with most Pinot Noir, brimming with fresh red cherries, fresh cut roses, and a little bit of wet earth. These might be the best Pinot Noir values in the world! The cool and beautiful countryside of New Zealand is good for more than just exquisite movie backdrops and Sauvignon Blanc. Over the past couple of decades, they have been quietly growing some of the most exciting Pinot Noir in the world, especially in Central Otago and Marlborough,

New Zealand is crafting Pinot Noirs that are beautiful with their youthfulness, fresh fruit, and straight-forward nature. The wines are not as complex as Burgundy, but they are also lighter than most California and Oregon Pinots. You can expect light garnet-colored wines with fresh flavors of red cherry, cranberry, and red flowers complemented with soft, silky tannins.

Over the past few weeks, I have tried many different low-to-medium priced New Zealand Pinot Noirs from Central Otago, Martinborough, and Marlborough regions. It was a fairly tough search because there isn’t much of a market for New Zealand wines in Central NY, in general, especially Pinot. I truly love the grape, and always on the hunt for rare, obscure, and stylistically different wines, especially Pinot, throughout the world, it was worth it. Highly commercial NZ Sauvignon Blancs are much more available than their Pinots.

One Pinot Noir stood out among the group, Tapi Pinot Noir Marlborough 2022, which I will share below. This particular Pinot had a pronounced nose, very aromatic, light-bodied, medium acidity, light tannins, and full of flavor unlike many Pinots. Marlborough is synonymous with producing some of the world’s best Sauvignon Blanc but has become an up-and-coming region for unique and very good Pinot Noir. If your on a search, Marlborough Pinot is generally fruitier than those from Central Otago and Martinborough, which contain a more earthy profile.

This wine retails for $18-$20, which is a great bargain buy for Pinot Noir enthusiasts as well as an easy-drinking red for late summer and early Fall. It is light enough to have with salmon or chicken, but complex enough to complement richer red or game, such as quail, turkey, and duck or with a filet of New Zealand salmon. Also, try it alongside pork, veal, lamb or venison and all kinds of cheeses or just drink it alone.

Tapi Pinot Noir Marlborough 2022

Tapi Pinot Noir Marlborough 2022

The grapes were hand-picked and carefully selected from 15-year-old vines grown on clay soil. The grapes were 90% de-stemmed and 10% whole bunch, 72-hour cold-maceration and fermentation in stainless steel vats and left on skins for 3 weeks. Aged in 50% new French oak and 50% used French oak barriques for 12 months. Learn more about the name and history of this wine on the back label.

Tasting notes
A deep ruby colored in the glass, this wine displays lifted aromatic and bright layers of cherry, plum and floral notes with subtle hints of licorice, vanilla, oak and spice. The palate has layered flavors of ripe red and dark fruit, and spice underpinned by nuances of dry herbs, smoke, leather, mushroom, and savory characteristics. Mid-weight on the palate, this wine is balanced and mouth-filling with refined silky tannins, balanced acidity that leads to a long and elegant finish.

Tapi Pinot Noir Marlborough 2022

Reviews and Awards
NZ Organic Wine Awards: Tapi Pinot Noir 2019 – Silver

Cheers,

Michael

Dark, Powerful, Juicy, Lush & Spice-Driven – Syrah

syrah wine bottles
February
9
2023
by Michael Nagy

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 vineyards in California

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

Wine Glass

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