
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 Noir208
- Cabernet Sauvignon140
- Other Red Blends80
- Rhône Blends79
- Syrah/Shiraz66
- Zinfandel42
- Sangiovese37
- Bordeaux Red Blends36
- Merlot27
- Nebbiolo27
- Tempranillo22
- Grenache17
- Malbec15
- Cabernet Franc13
- Gamay9
- Other Red Wine8
- Tuscan Blends8
- Carignan6
- Petite Sirah6
- Barbera4
- Carmenere4
- Mourvedre2
- Mencia2
- Aglianico1
- Bonarda1
- Negroamaro1
- Petit Verdot1
- Pinot Meunier1
- Primitivo1
- Valdiguie1
- Blaufrankisch1
- Bobal1
- Sagrantino1
- Zweigelt1
-
Cayuse Bionic Frog Syrah 2013Syrah/Shiraz from Walla Walla Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington
- RP
- WS
-
Cayuse Wallah Wallah Special #5 (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2013Syrah/Shiraz from Walla Walla Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington
- RP
- WE
-
Tournon Shay's Flat Shiraz 2013Syrah/Shiraz from Victoria, Australia
- JS
-
St Hallett Faith Shiraz 2013Syrah/Shiraz from Barossa Valley, Barossa, South Australia, Australia
- JS
- WW
- WS
-
Jaboulet Saint-Joseph Domaine de la Croix des Vignes 2013Syrah/Shiraz from Saint-Joseph, Rhone, France
-
Syrahmi Demi Shiraz 2013Syrah/Shiraz from Heathcote, Victoria, Australia
- WS
-
Chateau Maris Natural Selection Syrah 2013Syrah/Shiraz from Minervois La Liviniere, Minervois, Languedoc, South of France, France
- RP
-
Elderton Command Shiraz 2013Syrah/Shiraz from Barossa, South Australia, Australia
- RP
- JS
- WS
-
Georges Vernay Cote-Rotie Maison Rouge 2013Syrah/Shiraz from Cote Rotie, Rhone, France
- JS
- WS
-
Yalumba Patchwork Shiraz 2013Syrah/Shiraz from Barossa, South Australia, Australia
-
M. Chapoutier Cote-Rotie La Mordoree 2013Syrah/Shiraz from Cote Rotie, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
-
M. Chapoutier Saint-Joseph Les Granits Rouge 2013Syrah/Shiraz from Saint-Joseph, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
-
Mission Estate Syrah 2013Syrah/Shiraz from Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
- W&S
-
M. Chapoutier Crozes Hermitage Varonniers 2013Syrah/Shiraz from Crozes-Hermitage, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
-
M. Chapoutier Ermitage Le Meal 2013Syrah/Shiraz from Hermitage, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
-
Castell d'Encus Thalarn 2013Syrah/Shiraz from Spain
- RP
-
Baker Lane Sonoma Coast Cuvee Syrah 2013Syrah/Shiraz from Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California
-
Maimai Syrah 2013Syrah/Shiraz from Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
- WW
-
Domaine Clusel-Roch Cote-Rotie Les Grandes Places 2013Syrah/Shiraz from Cote Rotie, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
-
Pirathon Shiraz 2013Syrah/Shiraz from Barossa Valley, Barossa, South Australia, Australia
- RP
-
Yalumba Galway Vintage Shiraz 2013Syrah/Shiraz from Barossa Valley, Barossa, South Australia, Australia
-
Kalleske Greenock Shiraz 2013Syrah/Shiraz from Barossa Valley, Barossa, South Australia, Australia
- JS
- WS
- RP
-
Tournon Mathilda Shiraz 2013Syrah/Shiraz from Victoria, Australia
- WS
-
J. Lohr South Ridge Syrah 2013Syrah/Shiraz from Paso Robles, Central Coast, California
-
Orleans Hill Syrah 2013Syrah/Shiraz from California