Shiraz - The grape variety with two names

It is considered to be one of the oldest grape varieties we know.

It was probably first cultivated in the Rhône Valley in the south of France, where it is still traditionally the most important grape variety. But it also thrives in the climate of the South African Cape. It copes excellently with the hot climate and produces full-bodied and intense wines. Flavours of pepper, raspberries, cherries and currants are not uncommon. The vine has become so important and sought-after that it has risen to the nobility of the wine world and is labelled a noble vine. As Syrah sprouts late, it is quite resistant to late frosts. However, cold, wet weather during the flowering period leads to significant yield losses. Normally, its small-berried but abundant clusters lead to satisfactory yields. However, its ripening behaviour is problematic. In unfavourable weather conditions (too little sun), it does not ripen completely; this leads to an unpleasant taste due to the extraordinarily high tannin content, which is often described as green, unripe or uncharming. In full sun at ripening time, it very quickly tips over from ripe to overripe, losing its acidity and rich fruity flavour.

Find out more about Shiraz / Syrah

Profiles

Syrah/Shiraz is a red wine for people who appreciate a strong, full-bodied wine that may have a little more tannin. The tannins can sometimes appear sinewy in wines from cooler growing regions. Syrah/Shiraz has a lot of structure and the longer it matures in the bottle, the more complex it becomes. The alcohol content is rather moderate.

Fruit ★★★★★

Body ★★★★★

Tannin ★★★★

Acidity ★★★★

Alcohol ★★★★

Flavours

Syrah red wines are slender, elegant and spicy. They have subtle woody notes and flavours of cloves, cinnamon, pepper, forest floor or leather. In the cool climate of its native France, the character of Syrah is dominated by flavours of black pepper, violet, plum, leather and tar. In the heat of Australian terroirs, chocolate is the leading flavour of Shiraz wines. They are dark and very fruity with flavours of cherries and plums. The alcohol content is noticeably higher and the wines taste fuller and softer with a creamy texture.

Dominant notes:

- Blueberry
- plum
- Milk chocolate
- tobacco
- green pepper

Possible notes:

- Herbs/flowers: black pepper, green peppercorns, sage, lavender, eucalyptus, star anise, liquorice
- Red fruit: red plum, sweet cherry
- Dark fruit: boysenberry, blackcurrant, black cherry, plum sauce, blueberry, acai berry, blackberry, wild blackberry, blackberry jam, black olive
- Dried fruit: Fruit cake, Dried cranberry
- Earth/Other: Graphite, tar, bacon, cured meat, leather, tobacco leaf
- Secondary notes: Black cardamom, cream
- Stored in oak: smoke, cigar box, sassafras, camphor, tobacco, espresso, milk chocolate, vanilla pod, allspice, clove

Harmonises with

Syrah/Shiraz with a medium alcohol content and a fruity, sweet, spicy note tastes wonderful with strongly flavoured dishes, pasta with meat or fruity tomato sauce, meat pâté, risotto with mushrooms and herbs.
Medium to heavy Syrah/Shiraz is often drunk with roast beef, lamb and pork, as well as strongly flavoured Asian or Indian dishes such as curries. Full-bodied, single-varietal Shiraz red wines or powerful Shiraz cuvées harmonise particularly well here.
Full-bodied Syrah/Shiraz red wine is recommended with braised beef with a juicy, aromatic sauce, intensely flavoured game such as hare and venison or strong sausages.
A Syrah/Shiraz goes well with dessert if only a little sugar has been used in the dessert. Try a chocolate pudding or dark chocolate with at least 60% cocoa content with a full, mature Syrah/Shiraz wine - you will be delighted.

General information

Syrah or Shiraz - the name says it all. If "Syrah" is written on the label, the bottle contains a red wine that has been vinified in the classic French style, while "Shiraz" stands for a red wine in the powerful Australian style. Shiraz is now considered by many to be synonymous with wines from overseas. Typical of both styles are wines of a violet red colour when young, which changes to a dark brown-red as the wine matures. Both wine styles also share spicy-sweet and intense berry flavours as well as soft and round tannins. Both Syrah and Shiraz wines are smooth and usually ready to drink early, but also have good ageing potential. In principle, the flavour characteristics of Syrah/Shiraz cannot be compared with any other grape variety.

The different names also point to inconsistencies regarding the origin of the vine. While some believe that the grape variety originated in France and was created by natural cross-breeding somewhere between Lake Geneva and the Rhône, others believe that the Syrah grape is native to the Persian city of Shiraz.

According to one myth, the vine was brought to the Rhône via the Middle East by the crusader Gaspard de Stérimberg in the 13th century, where it was given the French name Syrah. The name "Shiraz" was given back to the grape variety by the Australian James Busby, who brought the vine overseas in 1833. In Australia's Barossa Valley, there are almost 200-year-old Shiraz vines, the oldest in the world. In Australia, the grape variety has also become the unmistakable trademark of the wine industry.

Myth or truth, what is certain is that the Syrah grape variety is a natural cross between the old white variety Mondeuse Blanche and the red variety Dureza. The Pinot Noir grape is considered its "great-grandfather". Syrah belongs to the "Cépages nobles" - the noble grape varieties. It is also a crossing partner for many other varieties.

The nobility of the grape and the excellent reputation of its wines have led to the worldwide cultivation of the vine. Especially in the New World of Wine, in South Africa, Australia, Argentina, the USA and Chile, the area under Shiraz vines has increased considerably. The vine is now cultivated on over 185,600 hectares, and in Europe it is mainly found in France, Spain, Italy and Portugal.

Whether overseas or in Europe, the red wine vine loves a hot and rather dry climate and medium-heavy, sufficiently moist granite or slate soils. Its relatively thick berry skin protects the grapes of this vigorous grape variety from extreme heat.

Harvested at the optimum time, Syrah/Shiraz vines produce excellent red wines that score just as highly as part of large and complex blends as they do as single-varietal wines. Blended with Grenache and Mourvèdre (Monastrell, Mataro), Syrah/Shiraz produces a cuvée that bears the abbreviated name GSM and enjoys an excellent reputation worldwide. Syrah wine is also often part of a cuvée in the southern Rhône, for example in the famous Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Syrah/Shiraz is mainly blended in Spain. As a single-varietal wine, the Syrah grape is mainly grown in South Africa, South Australia, the northern Rhône valley, New Zealand, South America and California.