
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 Sauvignon94
- Bordeaux Red Blends74
- Pinot Noir55
- Other Red Blends34
- Sangiovese33
- Syrah/Shiraz31
- Rhône Blends22
- Tempranillo21
- Nebbiolo17
- Malbec10
- Tuscan Blends10
- Grenache8
- Merlot8
- Gamay4
- Montepulciano4
- Petite Sirah4
- Zinfandel4
- Cabernet Franc3
- Cinsault2
- Other Red Wine2
- Nerello Mascalese2
- Aglianico1
- Bonarda1
- Carmenere1
- Corvina1
- Mourvedre1
- Nero d'Avola1
- Petit Verdot1
- Pinotage1
- Agiorgitiko1
- Freisa1
- Grignolino1
- Mencia1
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Jean-Luc Colombo Cornas Les Terres Brulees 2016Syrah/Shiraz from Cornas, Rhone, France
- WE
- WS
- JS
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K Vintners The Deal Sundance Vineyard Syrah 2016Syrah/Shiraz from Columbia Valley, Washington
- JD
- JS
- RP
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Angove Family Winemakers The Medhyk Shiraz 2016Syrah/Shiraz from McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia
- WE
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K Vintners Cattle King Syrah 2016Syrah/Shiraz from Walla Walla Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington
- JD
- JS
- RP
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Copain Les Voisins Syrah 2016Syrah/Shiraz from Yorkville Highlands, Mendocino, California
- W&S
- RP
- WE
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Copain Tous Ensemble Syrah 2016Syrah/Shiraz from Mendocino, California
- D
- WS
- WE
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Jim Barry Lodge Hill Shiraz 2016Syrah/Shiraz from Clare Valley, South Australia, Australia
- JS
- W&S
- WS
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Red Diamond Shiraz 2016Syrah/Shiraz from Washington
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Delas Crozes-Hermitage Domaine des Grands Chemins 2016Syrah/Shiraz from Crozes-Hermitage, Rhone, France
- W&S
- WS
- JD
- JS
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Elderton Command Shiraz 2016Syrah/Shiraz from Barossa, South Australia, Australia
- RP
- JS
- D
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Foxen Williamson-Dore Vineyard Syrah 2016Syrah/Shiraz from Los Olivos District, Santa Barbara, Central Coast, California
- WE
- WS
- JD
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Tulip Reserve Syrah (OK Kosher) 2016Syrah/Shiraz from Israel
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Montes Folly Syrah 2016Syrah/Shiraz from Colchagua Valley, Rapel Valley, Chile
- JS
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Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona Fabius 2016Syrah/Shiraz from Tuscany, Italy
- RP
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K Vintners Powerline Syrah 2016Syrah/Shiraz from Walla Walla Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington
- JS
- JD
- RP
- WS
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Tokara Shiraz 2016Syrah/Shiraz from Stellenbosch, South Africa
- D
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3 Rings Shiraz 2016Syrah/Shiraz from Barossa Valley, Barossa, South Australia, Australia
- WE
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Robert Oatley McLaren Vale Shiraz 2016Syrah/Shiraz from McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia
- WE
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K Vintners River Rock Syrah 2016Syrah/Shiraz from Walla Walla Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington
- WS
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Gramercy Cellars Lower East Syrah 2016Syrah/Shiraz from Columbia Valley, Washington
- WE
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Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2016Syrah/Shiraz from Hermitage, Rhone, France
- D
- JS
- JD
- WS
- RP
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Betz Family Winery La Serenne Syrah 2016Syrah/Shiraz from Yakima Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington
- JD
- RP
- JS
- WS
- WE
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Denner Syrah 2016Syrah/Shiraz from Paso Robles, Central Coast, California
- WE
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Wild & Wilder The Opportunist Shiraz 2016Syrah/Shiraz from South Australia, Australia
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K Vintners Rockgarden Syrah 2016Syrah/Shiraz from Walla Walla Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington
- JD
- WS
- JS
- RP