What is Syrah / Shiraz?

Red wine Grape from the Rhone Valley in France
Pronounced ‘seer-ahh‘ or ‘sheer-raz‘
Will grow almost everywhere, including warm and cool climates
Syrah and Shiraz are the exact same grape
Named Shiraz in Australia from the city in ancient Persia / Mesopotamia where the grape was originally thought to have been from
Prefers warmer climates
Thick skin, high tannins
Good ability to age due to the tannins
Usually barreled in oak
The grape has large bunches, small to medium in size
Often blended with Grenache in France, Australia with Cabernet Sauvignon
Despite the similar name, Petite Syrah has no relationship with the Syrah grape
Blends very well with Grenache, as Grenache is very light in color and shiraz is super dark
Grenache has notes of sweet raspberries whereas Syrah is sour fruit like blackberries, so blended they balance ripeness with sour

Where is Syrah / Shiraz grown?

Best grown in Rhone Valley in France, not much in the north, lots in the south
Grown all around the world
Number one winemaking country for Syrah is France with Australia second
Usually blended with Grenache and Mourvedre, called a Rhone Blend or GSM in Australia
Brought to Australia in the 1830s by James Busbey
Blended with Chateauneuf du Pape and Coates du rhone with Grenache
Blended with Cabernet Sauvignon in Australia
Number one grape in Australia however France produces double the amount
Hermitage in the Rhone Valley produces premium 100% Syrah wines
South Australia has very big wines such as the Barossa Valley and Victoria are more perfumed, Hunter Valley more delicate
California had a major grape replanting in the 1990s and Syrah was planted in the Central Valley and Central Coast
Sixth most planet grape variety
Pinot Noir is a grandparent of Syrah
Viognier is a sibling of Syrah, also from the Rhone Valley

Big, full-bodied, fruity
When young has notes of super-ripe fruit
Australian and French Shiraz are distinctly different, Australian Shiraz is big, bold, ripe whereas French is delicate and complex
France produce elegant Syrah, with notes of raspberry, not deep and inky
Blackberry, black currant, chocolate, black pepper, licorice
Spicy, good amount of acid so quite balanced
Australian Shiraz is high in alcohol (~16%), especially in South Australia compared to France
Australia typically produces Shiraz with more oak
Australian is big, juicy, deep, and inky in color
Dark, rich, super high tannins,. black pepper is the key taste

Pair Australian Shiraz with beefy stews, any stew cooked in red wine, or grilled meats
Pair French Syrah with short rib, stews, vegetables, mushroom dishes