Syrah embodies the soul of the Northern Rhone Valley that originally had the largest number of plantings in Cote-Rotie, Crozes-Hermitage and Hermitage. The variety has been cultivated in the south of France since the Roman times. This black grape variety has fuelled many debates about its origins with Persia being considered the cradle of its birth. However, recent research seems to show that Syrah comes from Savoie and Ardeche.
Syrah is a low-yielding varietal with a strong aromatic signature. It has a noticeable concentrated purple color. As a quintessential red wine, Syrah can also be a fruity and charming rosé. A variety from the south of France, Syrah has as aromatic power with typical notes of black pepper, licorice and menthol. Depending on the appellation, the complex aromatic palate can have floral scents like violent, and red and black fruit like raspberry, currant or blackberry. The variety is well-suited to making wines that have a long cellaring potential. As these wines evolve through the years, these wines can develop musk, leather and truffle aromas.
On the palate, Syrah stands out for its power and structure, and its wines can have an alcohol content of over 14 degrees. The mouthfeel can reveal an ample and fleshy texture, but it keeps its finesse due to silky, fine-grained tannins.
Syrah is a variety that needs the right conditions to reveal its full personality. It grows all over the world with a production area of about 190,000 ha. Syrah can be found all around the world from Argentina to Chile, via California and South Africa. It stands out particularly in Australia where it is known as “Shiraz” and it gives rise to powerful, full-bodied wines. These wines have a full and generous mouthfeel with cedar and eucalyptus flavors.
Syrah vs. Shiraz: What is the difference?
Syrah and Shiraz refer to the same grape variety, but the two names represent different wine styles influenced by their regions. Originating in France’s northern Rhône Valley, Syrah is known for producing elegant, cooler, and more refined wines, often with spicy, smoky, and earthy notes. In contrast, Shiraz, the name used in regions like Australia and South Africa, tends to produce bolder, fruitier, and spicier wines, with rich flavors of ripe dark fruits and chocolate. While Syrah shines in regions like Côte-Rôtie and Hermitage in France, Shiraz thrives in Australia’s Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale. The stylistic differences highlight the impact of terroir and climate on this versatile grape. Find out more on our blog, in our article entitled Shiraz vs. Syrah.
