Shiraz, which is also known as Syrah, is a thick skinned red grape variety which produces rich, robust, powerful red wine. Due to its hardiness as a vine and flexibility to different climatic conditions, Shiraz is one of the most widely planted grape varietals in the world. It buds late and ripens fairly early compared to other red grapes and is not susceptible to disease. It often has strong tannins, moderate to high alcohol levels and natural, concentrated flavours which means it can be age worthy and it is often matured in oak. Aging will soften those tannins and give the wine a rounded, gentler character and reveal some incredible tertiary flavours and aromas after a couple of years.
Where is Shiraz grown?
The style reflects the area where it has been grown and Its flavour profile will depend on the climate, terroir, clone and winemaking techniques used. Therefore, it can produce a wide range of styles. The grape originated in the Northern Rhone region of France and the majority of the plantings are in France, closely followed by Australia. The grape is also grown in Spain, Italy, Argentina, South Africa, California and Chile. There is significant style difference between European Syrah and New Word Shiraz. The Syrah from Europe tends to be terroir driven and the wines can be earthy, floral and herby. New world Shiraz tends to be riper, more fruit driven with blueberry, plum, spice and chocolate characters.
Syrah in the Rhone Valley
In the Northern Rhone the most famous villages for complex decadent Syrah are Hermitage, Cote Rotie and Cornas where the vines are planted in terraces on steep south facing slopes on granite soils which lead down to the Rhone River. The area benefits from a continental climate with cold winters and warm summers, tempered by the mistral wind which blows through the region cooling everything down and preventing issues caused by humidity and disease. The wines are Bold, well-structured with floral, savoury, earthy and herbal notes with underlying minerality. Cote Rote has an aromatic lift due to the small amounts of Viognier which is blended into the wine. These wines are high quality and age worthy which will be reflected in the price.
Image Credit: yannchave.com
Syrah in Southern France
Syrah is also grown in the Southern Rhone Valley but plays a supporting role to Grenache as the hot and dry Mediterranean climate is too hot to produce nuanced Syrah although it still does well in cooler sites and is blended into Cotes du Rhone wines, The best examples are Chateauneuf Du Pape, Gigondas and Lirac. Other appellations in Southern France where Syrah is blended with Grenache include Minervois and Pic St Loup. It is also a component of many rose wines from the Languedoc area.
Shiraz in Australia
The first Shiraz vines made their way to Australia in James Busby's 1832 collection. Recognised as the father of Australian viticulture, Busby travelled through Spain and France collecting vine cuttings that were the foundation of the Australian wine industry. Shiraz did well because it coped well and thrived in the heat producing rich, concentrated wines with juicy dark fruit character, black peppery spice and chocolate flavours with soft plush tannins. Although Australian shiraz has had a reputation for being jammy, bulk produced and heavily brand-driven from the wide generic ‘South-Eastern Australia’ region, it has now been elevated and is recognised for producing refined and sophisticated wines from boutique wineries in certain areas. Most famously from Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale and Hunter Valley from ‘old vines’ some of which are 100 years old producing multi layered wines with rich fruit, herb and sweet tobacco flavours, developing notes of leather, smoke and mint with age. More subtle European style versions are also being produced in cooler climate areas of Victoria, Yarra Valley and Eden Valley.
Foods to Pair with Shiraz
A classic pairing for Shiraz or Syrah would be Game, BBQ, rustic stews and casseroles. Lamb dishes with spice and umami flavours bring out the fruitiness in Syrah.
Top 5 Picks of The Bunch
Yann Chave Crozes-Hermitage Rouge, Rhone, France 2019
Beautifully crafted from Syrah grapes taken from the Chave family's Hermitage vineyards near the village of Mercurol in the northern Rhone. The vineyards' south-west exposure ensures extended sunshine hours, and the wine is aged for 12 months in large 600-litre barrels, so as not to over-oak Syrah's delicate, complex notes. The result is seductive, richly concentrated wine with powerful purple fruit character and handsomely integrated peppery spice.
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Dandelion Vineyards Lionheart of the Barossa Shiraz, Australia 2019
This is a classic Barossa Shiraz offering exceptional value for money. Rich and ripe aromas of blackcurrant, black plum and blueberry with dashes of sweet and black pepper spice. Full-bodied and forward on the palate with firm, yet yielding tannins that wrap around a further core of hedgerow and black fruits fused with added mocha spice and dark chocolate. Delicious!
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Robert Oatley Shiraz, McLaren Vale, Australia 2019
From one of Australia's flagship regions, McLaren Val. Made in a modern style , with bright fruit and a very easily accessible nature, this full-bodied Shiraz from the iconic Robert Oatley Vineyards is deeply satisfying, and offers excellent value. Ripe and juicy with notes of blueberries, spice and soft, supple tannins with accompanying peppery character and well-integrated oak.
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Chateau Puech-Haut Le Pic St Loup Rouge, Languedoc, France 2019
A blend of Syrah and Grenache, vinified and aged in concrete vats. Intense bouquet of kirsch, plum and blackcurrant with a touch of lavender. Big, bold and powerful on the palate with fantastic complexity and concentration. It is extremely well-balanced and structured around a core of dark fruits and added cracked black pepper spice on the long, impressive finish.
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Minervois, Foncaliou, Languedoc, France 2018
A stunning Syrah-Grenache blend from the Minervois in the Languedoc-Roussillon where the Mediterranean climate and cooling sea breeze produce an intense, yet ripe and luscious Southern French red. Intense aromas of red and black fruits fused with liquorice and black pepper spice. Medium to full-bodied on the palate with ripe tannins and good fruit concentration leading through into a long, lingering finish.
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Torres Natureo Zero Alcohol Syrah, Spain 2020
Natureo is the result of a long-term research project by world renowned Spanish producer, Torres, who have been at the forefront of high-quality dealcoholized wine production since 2008. After a classic winemaking process in which the Syrah and Garnacha grapes are harvested and then fermented. The alcohol is then carefully removed, therefore preserving its full aroma and flavour. Dark ruby red in appearance. Enticing notes of blackberry and blackcurrant on the nose with a hint of spice. Brimming with juicy bramble fruits on the palate with a crack of black pepper. The wine is medium bodied, soft and supple.
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