
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 Noir101
- Cabernet Sauvignon84
- Nebbiolo41
- Syrah/Shiraz38
- Bordeaux Red Blends30
- Rhône Blends26
- Other Red Blends25
- Zinfandel16
- Sangiovese12
- Malbec10
- Tempranillo8
- Cabernet Franc6
- Gamay5
- Carmenere4
- Grenache4
- Merlot4
- Petite Sirah4
- Mourvedre2
- Tuscan Blends2
- Aglianico1
- Barbera1
- Carignan1
- Cinsault1
- Dolcetto1
- Other Red Wine1
- Pinotage1
- Sagrantino1
-
Spring Valley Nina Lee Syrah 2014Syrah/Shiraz from Walla Walla Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington
- JS
- W&S
-
Tahbilk Shiraz 2014Syrah/Shiraz from Victoria, Australia
- WW
- W&S
-
Leeuwin Estate Art Series Shiraz 2014Syrah/Shiraz from Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia
- JS
- D
- W&S
- WS
-
Best's Great Western Bin No 1 Shiraz 2014Syrah/Shiraz from Victoria, Australia
- W&S
-
Sidewood Shiraz 2014Syrah/Shiraz from Adelaide Hills, South Australia, Australia
- W&S
-
Langmeil Valley Floor Shiraz 2014Syrah/Shiraz from Barossa Valley, Barossa, South Australia, Australia
- W&S
-
Sleight Of Hand Levitation Syrah 2014Syrah/Shiraz from Columbia Valley, Washington
- RP
- WE
- W&S
- WS
-
d'Arenberg The Laughing Magpie Shiraz Viognier 2014Syrah/Shiraz from McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia
- JS
- W&S
-
Merino Syrah 2014Syrah/Shiraz from Limari Valley, Chile
- W&S
- RP
-
Two Hands Lily's Garden Shiraz 2014Syrah/Shiraz from McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia
- WS
- W&S
-
Vinaceous Reverend V Syrah 2014Syrah/Shiraz from Western Australia, Australia
- RP
- W&S
-
Baker Lane Sonoma Coast Cuvee Syrah 2014Syrah/Shiraz from Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California
- W&S
-
Big Basin Santa Cruz Mountains Syrah 2014Syrah/Shiraz from Santa Cruz Mountains, California
- WW
- W&S
-
Leeuwin Estate Siblings Shiraz 2014Syrah/Shiraz from Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia
- W&S
- WE
-
Brokenwood Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz 2014Syrah/Shiraz from Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia
- JS
- RP
- W&S
-
J. Boutin Arena Mica Hermitage 2014Syrah/Shiraz from Hermitage, Rhone, France
- WS
- W&S
-
St Hallett Blackwell Shiraz 2014Syrah/Shiraz from Barossa Valley, Barossa, South Australia, Australia
- W&S
-
Edmunds St. John Barsotti Ranch Syrah 2014Syrah/Shiraz from El Dorado, Sierra Foothills, California
- W&S
-
Kalleske Greenock Shiraz 2014Syrah/Shiraz from Barossa Valley, Barossa, South Australia, Australia
- WW
- WS
- RP
- W&S
-
Wind Gap Nellessen Vineyard Syrah 2014Syrah/Shiraz from Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California
- W&S
- TP
-
Qupe Bien Nacido Syrah 2014Syrah/Shiraz from Santa Maria Valley, Central Coast, California
- W&S
-
Drew Mendocino Ridge Valenti Vineyard Syrah 2014Syrah/Shiraz from Mendocino Ridge, Mendocino, California
- W&S
-
Delas Crozes-Hermitage Domaine des Grands Chemins 2014Syrah/Shiraz from Crozes-Hermitage, Rhone, France
- WS
- W&S
-
Copain Les Voisins Syrah 2014Syrah/Shiraz from Yorkville Highlands, Mendocino, California
- W&S
-
Angove Family Winemakers Warboys Vineyard Shiraz 2014Syrah/Shiraz from McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia
- WE
- W&S
- JS