Hello my dear friends! If you are here with us again, you probably know that all grape varieties get a holiday. February 16th is International Syrah Day, when wine enthusiasts worldwide celebrate this red grape also named Shiraz- as it’s more commonly known in Australia. It originally comes from France but was successfully planted all over the world, and is now well known in Australia. Using DNA studies, a 1998 study concluded that the grape is the offspring of two grapes, Dureza and Mondeuse Blanche.
Syrah is known for its deep red colour and small size, round but have also a little egg-shaped. Syrah has a short ripening period. When grown in the Old World it tends to be spicier, less fruit-forward, earthier, and more tannic. In New World, where it is also known as Shiraz, it tends to be “larger”, “bolder” and “jammier”, with less spice.
Are Syrah and Shiraz different grapes?
No, they are the same grape! Typically a winemaker chooses to either call it Syrah or Shiraz referring more to the style of wine they have created. You'll find a lot of wines in Europe and Old World countries to be called Syrah and a lot of the New World wine regions will call it Shiraz. However, this is definitely not the case all the time. Typically 'Shiraz' is used for those rich, fruit forward wines, while Syrah is leaning more towards a French style which is elegant and refined. It is up to each producer which name they want to use. To confuse things even further - International Shiraz Day is seperate to International Syrah Day and is actually celebrated on the 4th Thursday of July every year. But remeber, Syrah and Shiraz are the same grape variety!
What does Syrah taste like?
Syrah is a dry, full-bodied, opaque wine, with brisk acidity, moderate-to-high alcohol levels (13–14.5%) and firm tannins. Best Syrah taste profiles can range from smoke, bacon, herbs, red and black fruits, white and black pepper, to floral violet notes. When aged in oak, Syrah takes on flavors of vanilla and baking spice. In general, Syrah will be more elegant, lean and savory than its powerful, fruit-driven cousin Shiraz.
Syrah and Shiraz are usually made in dry styles, though occasionally entry-level Shiraz may have a touch of residual sugar. A dry wine means that after the grapes are pressed, the sugar from the grape must is converted into alcohol by yeast. When all, or nearly all, of the sugar is converted, it creates a fully dry wine. Sometimes, a little residual sugar is left behind. This might be purposeful, to give a hint of richness and sweetness to the wine, or it might be because the yeast didn’t finish the fermentation.
Like all reds, Syrah has an ideal temperature range. Because of higher alcohol levels in Syrah/Shiraz (13–15.5%), wines should always have a slight chill, or the alcohol will taste hot and the flavors dull. Served too cold, however, and the aromas and flavors are muted. The ideal temperature range to serve Syrah/Shiraz is 60–65°F, which can be achieved with 15 minutes in the refrigerator. If you don’t finish a bottle of Syrah, replace the cork and stick it back in the fridge. The flavors will stay fresh for two to four days. Beyond that, the wine will start to oxidize.
When pairing, bear in mind that Syrah from cooler climates, like France and Sonoma Coast, has brisk acidity, moderate tannins, red and black fruits and earthy, smoky flavors. These wines go well with game, duck, mushrooms, stews, veal and pastas with meat ragu. As with any pairing, try to match the wine’s weight and flavor intensity with the weight and flavor intensity of the food.
The sixth most planted grape in the world!
The entire 'New World' has also been seduced by this rich and spicy grape with varietal wines being produced in important quantities in South Africa, New Zealand, the United States, Chile, and Argentina. There, the name Syrah indicates a wine generally made in a cooler climate in a more restrained style.
Today’s wine recommendations for Syrah come from Desquiciado Winery (Argentina) and Ventisquero (Chile). Argentinian Syrah is heavy with blackberries and raspberries notes yet has powerful tannin and bracing acidity. The grape is typically blended with Malbec and creates as fabulous response to the huge Australian Cabernet/Shiraz blend.
Desquiciado Syrah (90% Syrah, 10% Grenache) use grapes from soils rich in clay. The maceration lasts about 18 days approximately. Once the fermentation is finished, it is aged for 3 months in 3rd and 4th use barrels, and after this aging period, the wine returns to steel tanks with toasted French oak staves. Once the winter is over, the wine is ‘cut’ with Grenache from the East and bottle it. It shows a ruby red color with equal reflections. On the nose it gives notes of red fruits and berries intertwined with notes of pepper and vanilla. On the palate, it has good acidity and fruitiness. This is a truly inviting Syrah.
Grey (100% Syrah) from Ventisquero, has a deep dark ruby color with violet notes. With intense aromas on the nose, they stand out soft notes of berries such as blueberries and blackberries, along with aromas of black pepper and mineral notes of granite. The palate is expressive, full-bodied, a structured wine that is given by a great presence of round and ripe tannins, and firm, which fill the mouth and leave it velvety with a pleasant fruity finish and a long persistence. It is recommended to drink at a temperature between 16-18° C. Pairs well with deer, wild boar, as well as pork and lamb.
And that's a wrap for today! Have a happy rest of the week and... let's meet here next Wednesday again! Until then, Santé!
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