
Syrah / Shiraz Wine
Learn about Syrah — taste profile, popular regions and more ...
Marked by an unmistakable deep purple hue and savory aromatics, Syrah, also known as Shiraz, accounts for a good deal of some of the most intense, powerful and age-worthy reds in the world. Native to the Northern Rhône, Syrah still achieves some of its maximum potential here, especially from Hermitage and Côte-Rôtie.
Syrah and Shiraz wine also plays an important component in the canonical Southern Rhône blends based on Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre, adding color, depth, complexity and structure to the mix. Today these blends have become well-appreciated from key appellations of the New World, namely Australia, California and increasingly, with praise, from Washington.
Due to the success of Australian “Shiraz,” winemakers throughout the world have adopted this synonym for Syrah when they have produced a plush and fruit forward wine made in the Australian style.
Tasting Notes for Syrah / Shiraz
Syrah/Shiraz is a dry, red wine that typically shows aromas and flavors of purple fruits, fragrant violets, baking spice and even bacon, smoke or black olive. In Australia, where it goes under the name Shiraz, it produces deep, dark, intense and often, jammy reds. While Northern Rhône examples are typically less fruity and more earthy, California appears increasingly capable of either style.
Perfect Food Pairings for Syrah / Shiraz
Flavorful Moroccan-spiced lamb, grilled meats, spareribs and hard, aged cheeses are perfect with Syrah. Blue cheeses are perfect with a dense and fruit-driven Australian Shiraz.
Sommelier Secrets for Syrah / Shiraz
Syrah once played a role as a blending partner to the austere Cabernet in Bordeaux as it added some body and texture. Now, Australians are fond of tempering their fruit-forward Shiraz by blending with Cabernet Sauvignon, which adds depth and structure.
- Cabernet Sauvignon876
- Pinot Noir833
- Bordeaux Red Blends616
- Other Red Blends417
- Tempranillo246
- Rhône Blends209
- Sangiovese191
- Syrah/Shiraz169
- Merlot164
- Malbec162
- Zinfandel117
- Nebbiolo110
- Grenache66
- Cabernet Franc62
- Tuscan Blends58
- Gamay46
- Barbera34
- Carmenere25
- Petite Sirah25
- Other Red Wine24
- Mourvedre21
- Mencia18
- Montepulciano16
- Nero d'Avola15
- Dolcetto14
- Carignan12
- Pinotage10
- Aglianico9
- Nerello Mascalese9
- Primitivo6
- Bonarda5
- Agiorgitiko5
- Cinsault4
- Corvina4
- Petit Verdot4
- Tannat4
- Negroamaro2
- Valdiguie2
- Blaufrankisch2
- Frappato2
- Gaglioppo2
- Xinomavro2
- Lagrein1
- Touriga Nacional1
- Alicante Bouschet1
- Freisa1
- Pais1
- Refosco1
- Sagrantino1
- Schiava1
- Zweigelt1
-
Mollydooker The Boxer Shiraz 2020Syrah/Shiraz from South Australia, Australia
-
K Vintners The Beautiful Syrah 2018Syrah/Shiraz from Walla Walla Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington
- JD
- JS
- WS
- RP
-
K Vintners The Deal Sundance Vineyard Syrah 2018Syrah/Shiraz from Wahluke Slope, Columbia Valley, Washington
- JS
- JD
-
Powell & Son Barossa Valley Shiraz 2018Syrah/Shiraz from Barossa Valley, Barossa, South Australia, Australia
- JS
-
Penfolds Kalimna Bin 28 Shiraz 2018Syrah/Shiraz from Barossa Valley, Barossa, South Australia, Australia
- JS
- RP
- WS
- WW
- W&S
-
PlumpJack Syrah 2018Syrah/Shiraz from Napa Valley, California
- JD
- V
- WS
-
Shaw & Smith Shiraz 2019Syrah/Shiraz from Adelaide Hills, South Australia, Australia
- D
- JS
- JH
- WE
-
Elderton Shiraz 2017Syrah/Shiraz from Barossa, South Australia, Australia
- V
-
Il Borro Pian di Nova Rosso 2018Syrah/Shiraz from Tuscany, Italy
-
Jaboulet Crozes Hermitage Domaine de Thalabert 2019Syrah/Shiraz from Crozes-Hermitage, Rhone, France
- JD
- RP
- JS
-
Scott Harvey Mountain Selection Syrah 2019Syrah/Shiraz from Amador, Sierra Foothills, California
- WE
- WW
-
Luca Laborde Double Select Syrah 2019Syrah/Shiraz from Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina
- JS
- V
- RP
-
Baron Philippe de Rothschild Escudo Rojo Syrah Reserva 2019Syrah/Shiraz from Maipo Valley, Chile
- JS
- WW
-
Cayuse En Chamberlin Syrah 2019Syrah/Shiraz from Walla Walla Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington
-
Cayuse En Cerise Syrah 2019Syrah/Shiraz from Walla Walla Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington
-
Mollydooker Blue Eyed Boy Shiraz 2019Syrah/Shiraz from McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia
- WS
- RP
-
K Vintners Powerline Syrah 2018Syrah/Shiraz from Walla Walla Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington
- JS
- JD
- WS
-
Yalumba Samuel's Collection Shiraz 2018Syrah/Shiraz from Barossa, South Australia, Australia
- D
- JS
- WW
-
Jaboulet Les Jalets Rouge Crozes-Hermitage 2017Syrah/Shiraz from Crozes-Hermitage, Rhone, France
-
Chateau Ste. Michelle Columbia Valley Syrah 2019Syrah/Shiraz from Columbia Valley, Washington
- WE
-
Jaboulet Hermitage La Maison Bleue 2019Syrah/Shiraz from Hermitage, Rhone, France
- RP
- JD
- JS
-
Delas Hermitage Domaine des Tourettes 2016Syrah/Shiraz from Hermitage, Rhone, France
- JD
- RP
- WS
- W&S
-
Domaine Nerantzi Syrah 2013Syrah/Shiraz from Macedonia, Greece
-
Jasper Hill Georgia's Paddock Shiraz 2016Syrah/Shiraz from Heathcote, Victoria, Australia
- RP
- WS
- W&S
-
Pierre Jean Villa Cote-Rotie Carmina 2019Syrah/Shiraz from Cote Rotie, Rhone, France