
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.
- Pinot Noir501
- Cabernet Sauvignon488
- Bordeaux Red Blends235
- Other Red Blends224
- Sangiovese128
- Rhône Blends124
- Tempranillo116
- Syrah/Shiraz116
- Nebbiolo82
- Malbec81
- Merlot75
- Zinfandel51
- Grenache38
- Tuscan Blends34
- Gamay29
- Cabernet Franc23
- Barbera15
- Montepulciano13
- Petite Sirah10
- Aglianico9
- Carmenere9
- Nero d'Avola9
- Mourvedre8
- Other Red Wine8
- Mencia8
- Carignan5
- Agiorgitiko5
- Nerello Mascalese5
- Bonarda4
- Cinsault3
- Dolcetto3
- Pinotage3
- Primitivo3
- Corvina2
- Lagrein2
- Negroamaro2
- Gaglioppo2
- Petit Verdot1
- Tannat1
- Touriga Nacional1
- Valdiguie1
- Blaufrankisch1
- Freisa1
- Grignolino1
- Schiava1
-
Shafer Relentless 2017Syrah/Shiraz from Napa Valley, California
- TP
- JD
- WS
- RP
-
Guigal Crozes Hermitage 2017Syrah/Shiraz from Crozes-Hermitage, Rhone, France
- JD
- RP
- W&S
-
Baron Philippe de Rothschild Escudo Rojo Syrah Reserva 2018Syrah/Shiraz from Maipo Valley, Chile
- JS
- V
-
Yalumba Samuel's Collection Shiraz 2018Syrah/Shiraz from Barossa, South Australia, Australia
- D
- WW
- JS
-
Layer Cake Shiraz 2019Syrah/Shiraz from South Australia, Australia
- WW
-
Failla Hudson Vineyard Syrah 2018Syrah/Shiraz from Napa Valley, California
- V
-
Yalumba Y Series Shiraz 2018Syrah/Shiraz from South Australia, Australia
- WS
-
Campbells Bobbie Burns Shiraz 2015Syrah/Shiraz from Rutherglen, Victoria, Australia
-
Mollydooker The Boxer Shiraz 2018Syrah/Shiraz from South Australia, Australia
- RP
- WS
-
Howard Park Flint Rock Shiraz 2017Syrah/Shiraz from Great Southern, Western Australia, Australia
- RP
-
Two Hands Angels' Share Shiraz 2018Syrah/Shiraz from McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia
- WS
-
Jean-Luc Colombo Cornas Les Terres Brulees 2016Syrah/Shiraz from Cornas, Rhone, France
- WE
- WS
- JS
-
Excelsior Syrah 2018Syrah/Shiraz from South Africa
-
Torbreck Woodcutters Shiraz 2019Syrah/Shiraz from Barossa Valley, Barossa, South Australia, Australia
-
Cattleya Wines The Initiation Syrah 2017Syrah/Shiraz from Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey, Central Coast, California
- JD
- WE
- RP
- WS
-
Gilles Troullier Boreal 2015Syrah/Shiraz from Languedoc, South of France, France
- RP
-
Jean-Louis Chave Selection Crozes-Hermitage Silene 2018Syrah/Shiraz from Crozes-Hermitage, Rhone, France
- JD
-
Stolpman Vineyards Estate Grown Syrah 2018Syrah/Shiraz from Ballard Canyon, Santa Barbara, Central Coast, California
- RP
- WE
- JD
-
McGuigan Wines The Plan Shiraz 2017Syrah/Shiraz from South Australia, Australia
-
Chateau de Saint Cosme Cote Rotie 2018Syrah/Shiraz from Cote Rotie, Rhone, France
- JD
- WS
-
Elderton Shiraz 2017Syrah/Shiraz from Barossa, South Australia, Australia
-
Dandelion Vineyards Lionheart of the Barossa Shiraz 2018Syrah/Shiraz from Barossa Valley, Barossa, South Australia, Australia
- D
- JS
-
Fat Bastard Syrah 2019Syrah/Shiraz from Pays d’Oc, South of France, France
-
K Vintners Cattle King Syrah 2016Syrah/Shiraz from Walla Walla Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington
- JD
- JS
- RP
-
Copain Les Voisins Syrah 2016Syrah/Shiraz from Yorkville Highlands, Mendocino, California
- W&S
- RP
- WE