
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.
- Bordeaux Red Blends406
- Cabernet Sauvignon128
- Pinot Noir97
- Tempranillo59
- Nebbiolo56
- Sangiovese55
- Other Red Blends54
- Rhône Blends52
- Syrah/Shiraz43
- Malbec29
- Cabernet Franc21
- Grenache14
- Tuscan Blends11
- Mencia8
- Gamay7
- Merlot7
- Zinfandel6
- Carignan5
- Bonarda4
- Mourvedre4
- Nerello Mascalese4
- Barbera2
- Carmenere2
- Aglianico1
- Other Red Wine1
- Petit Verdot1
- Touriga Nacional1
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- Blaufrankisch1
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Torbreck The Factor Shiraz 2018Syrah/Shiraz from Barossa Valley, Barossa, South Australia, Australia
- JS
- RP
- D
- WE
- WS
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Jaboulet Crozes Hermitage Domaine de Thalabert 2018Syrah/Shiraz from Crozes-Hermitage, Rhone, France
- JD
- RP
- JS
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K Vintners The Beautiful Syrah 2017Syrah/Shiraz from Walla Walla Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington
- JS
- JD
- RP
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Les Alexandrins Domaine Crozes-Hermitage 2018Syrah/Shiraz from Crozes-Hermitage, Rhone, France
- JD
- WS
- RP
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Penfolds Bin 28 Shiraz 2019Syrah/Shiraz from South Australia, Australia
- WS
- V
- RP
- JS
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Cambria Tepusquet Vineyard Syrah 2016Syrah/Shiraz from Santa Maria Valley, Central Coast, California
- W&S
- RP
- JD
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Jim Barry The McRae Wood Shiraz 2014Syrah/Shiraz from Clare Valley, South Australia, Australia
- JS
- RP
- WE
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Stolpman Vineyards Hilltops Syrah 2018Syrah/Shiraz from Ballard Canyon, Santa Barbara, Central Coast, California
- JD
- RP
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Vidal-Fleury Saint-Joseph 2018Syrah/Shiraz from Saint-Joseph, Rhone, France
- JD
- RP
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Yangarra Estate Vineyard Ironheart Shiraz 2016Syrah/Shiraz from McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia
- RP
- JS
- WE
- W&S
- WS
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Jasper Hill Georgia's Paddock Shiraz 2016Syrah/Shiraz from Heathcote, Victoria, Australia
- RP
- WS
- W&S
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Sequel Syrah 2017Syrah/Shiraz from Columbia Valley, Washington
- JS
- RP
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Howard Park Flint Rock Shiraz 2017Syrah/Shiraz from Great Southern, Western Australia, Australia
- V
- RP
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Domaine Belle Crozes-Hermitage Roche Pierre 2018Syrah/Shiraz from Crozes-Hermitage, Rhone, France
- RP
- JD
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Jean-Louis Chave Clos Florentin Saint-Joseph 2019Syrah/Shiraz from Saint-Joseph, Rhone, France
- JD
- RP
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Jaboulet Hermitage La Maison Bleue 2019Syrah/Shiraz from Hermitage, Rhone, France
- RP
- JD
- JS
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Chateau de Saint Cosme Saint-Joseph 2020Syrah/Shiraz from Saint-Joseph, Rhone, France
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- RP
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Auguste Clape Cuvee Renaissance Cornas 2018Syrah/Shiraz from Cornas, Rhone, France
- JD
- D
- RP
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Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage 2019Syrah/Shiraz from Hermitage, Rhone, France
- RP
- JD
- D
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Stolpman Vineyards Ruben's Block Syrah 2017Syrah/Shiraz from Ballard Canyon, Santa Barbara, Central Coast, California
- RP
- JD
- CG
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Jaboulet Hermitage La Chapelle 2019Syrah/Shiraz from Hermitage, Rhone, France
- RP
- JD
- JS
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Levet La Chavaroche Cote Rotie 2019Syrah/Shiraz from Cote Rotie, Rhone, France
- JD
- RP
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Stolpman Vineyards So Hot So Fresh Syrah 2019Syrah/Shiraz from Ballard Canyon, Santa Barbara, Central Coast, California
- RP
- WE
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Yalumba The Octavius Old Vine Shiraz 2016Syrah/Shiraz from Barossa, South Australia, Australia
- D
- V
- JS
- RP
- WE
- W&S
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Glaetzer Amon Ra Shiraz 2018Syrah/Shiraz from Barossa Valley, Barossa, South Australia, Australia
- RP