 Shiraz or Syrah is the same name for a fine grape often used in red wine blends. Both names are commonly used, even though Shiraz is preferred in Australia, where it is the most popular red grape. It is interesting to mention that in Australia during the 70s, because of the popularity of white wines, producers started to rip out Shiraz vineyards and it was only 10 years later that demand for this grape started to build
again. Shiraz is also the name used in South Africa. In the USA this grape is called Syrah and it is grown primarily in California and Washington state. Syrah is somehow a more elegant and less "bold" name which reminds of ancient traditions. Many producers are often using these names just because of market trends.Using one or the other name, it is nice to know a little more about the origin of this grape. It has been a common idea the fact that the name Shiraz came from the homonym city Shiraz in Iran. Today, after extensive DNA studies conducted in 1998, it is a common thinking that this grape originated in an area close to the the northern Rhône valley in France, as a result of a cross of Dureza and Mondeuse Blanche.
In fact Syrah is the most important grape of the Rhône Valley where it is a major player in wines such as Cornas (100% Syrah), Hermitage, Côte-Rôtie and Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
Syrah's popularity is growing fastly in Washington State whre there are nowadays more than 2.000 acres of vineyards planted with this grape. Syrah does well in poor soils and warm climates and it is quite resistant to winter freezes that usually damage many other grape varieties. This grape variety can be vinified on its own (e.g. Cornas), however it is often blended with other grape varietals, such as Grenache and Viognier in France, and Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in new-world style wines. Australia even produces a variety of sparkling Shiraz which I consider to be a difficult wine to drink. Syrah produces spicy aromas if cultivated in cool climates and it has sweeter tones when grown in warm climates. Wines made with Syrah are always full-bodied and rich in flavors. According to the soil, climate and viticultural practices used, the nose in a typical Syrah can be flowery or fruity, spicy or even toasted. Varietal aromas include violets and other red flowers, wild berries and black pepper. Coffee and chocolate nuances are often derived from oak treatment.
Syrah has great ageing potential: in 2004 a bottle of the 1951 Penfolds Grange has been sold at auction for $50,200 and countless Rhône reds are perfectly enjoyable after several decades. With time, a wine develops many tertiary aromas such as leather or truffle.
Outside of France, probably Shiraz finds one of its best expression in Penfolds Grange, one of the world's most collectible wines. |
