
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 Sauvignon638
- Bordeaux Red Blends513
- Pinot Noir436
- Merlot387
- Syrah/Shiraz340
- Other Red Blends337
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- Rhône Blends170
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- Barbera41
- Other Red Wine36
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- Petite Sirah27
- Malbec20
- Cabernet Franc19
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- Carmenere7
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- Petit Verdot1
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- Touriga Nacional1
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- Agiorgitiko1
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- Sagrantino1
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Arrowood Saralee's Vineyard Syrah 2000Syrah/Shiraz from Russian River, Sonoma County, California
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Sine Qua Non In Flagrante Syrah 2000Syrah/Shiraz from California
- RP
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La Sirena Syrah (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2000Syrah/Shiraz from Napa Valley, California
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Tyrrell's Long Flat Shiraz 2000Syrah/Shiraz from Australia
- WS
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Yalumba Barossa Shiraz 2000Syrah/Shiraz from Barossa Valley, Barossa, South Australia, Australia
- RP
- WE
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Penfolds RWT Shiraz 2000Syrah/Shiraz from Barossa Valley, Barossa, South Australia, Australia
- WS
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Rolf Binder Christa Rolf Shiraz 2000Syrah/Shiraz from Barossa, South Australia, Australia
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Guigal Hermitage Rouge 2000Syrah/Shiraz from Hermitage, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
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Barossa Valley Estate E&E Black Pepper Shiraz 2000Syrah/Shiraz from Barossa Valley, Barossa, South Australia, Australia
- WS
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Barwang Australian Southeast Shiraz 2000Syrah/Shiraz from South East Australia, Australia
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Wirra Wirra McLaren Vale Shiraz 2000Syrah/Shiraz from McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia
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Mount Langi Ghiran Cliff Edge Shiraz 2000Syrah/Shiraz from Victoria, Australia
- RP
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d'Arenberg The Dead Arm Shiraz 2000Syrah/Shiraz from McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia
- RP
- WS
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Trumpeter Syrah 2000Syrah/Shiraz from Argentina
- WS
- WE
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Beckmen Purisima Mountain Vineyard Syrah 2000Syrah/Shiraz from Central Coast, California
- RP
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Anapamu Syrah 2000Syrah/Shiraz from Central Coast, California
- WS
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Banrock Station Shiraz 2000Syrah/Shiraz from Australia
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Robert Mondavi Private Selection Syrah 2000Syrah/Shiraz from California
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Alban Reva Estate Syrah 2000Syrah/Shiraz from Central Coast, California
- RP
- WS
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Neyers Hudson Vineyard Syrah 2000Syrah/Shiraz from Napa Valley, California
- RP
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Guigal Crozes Hermitage 2000Syrah/Shiraz from Rhone, France
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Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage 2000Syrah/Shiraz from Hermitage, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
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Alban Seymour's Vineyard Syrah 2000Syrah/Shiraz from Central Coast, California
- RP
- WS
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Beckmen Santa Barbara Syrah 2000Syrah/Shiraz from Central Coast, California
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Jim Barry The Armagh Shiraz 2000Syrah/Shiraz from Clare Valley, South Australia, Australia
- WS
- RP