Syrah wine: where is it made, taste, how and what to drink + 5 facts

Syrah - A popular grape variety in many wine-growing countries, it is darker than Cabernet Sauvignon and contains a large amount of healthy antioxidants.

Syrah wine is characterized by a rich and intense flavor, with notes of blueberry, black plum, milk chocolate, tobacco, green pepper.

Where Syrah wine is made

Due to the unpretentiousness of the vine to soils and climate, it is grown in different countries of the world. The variety is especially popular with Australians and producers from the southwestern regions of France.

Syrah wines are multifaceted: in warm regions they are rich, soft, with a velvety fruity taste and pronounced sweetness, in cooler areas they are tart, balanced drinks with a predominance of red currant, pepper, mint, olives and significant acidity...

Each country and region not only names, but also cultivates grapes in its own way.

1. France (68391 hectares)

   Regions: Côtes du Rhône: Cornas, Hermitage, St. Joseph, Côte-Rôtie

   Specializes in austere, dark Syrah drinks and gives the variety an original name in each region: Seren, Marsanne Noir, Candives, Inen Noir, Plan de la Bion are all names of local varieties of Shiraz.

   Especially good at making wines from the famous fruit are the companies located in the Rhone Valley, Hermitage and Côte-Rôtie.

   Most French bouquets are characterized by spicy and peppery notes. However, it has its own peculiarities.

   Beverages from the "heart" of the Rhone (its central part) are characterized by floral aromas (clove, rose, violet) and flavors of wild berries with hints of herbs and spices (thyme, caraway, fennel).

   Wines from the northern regions have a grassy and smoky flavor, while southern products have pronounced earthy notes.

   The Hermitage creates elegant, valuable Syrah drinks and bright assemblages with the inclusion of other varieties.

   Côte-Rôtie produces delicate, light varietal wines and blends with the addition of Viognier fruit.

2. Australia (42491 hectares)

   Regions: Barossa, McLaren Vale, Limestone Coast

   The most powerful and memorable Shiraz is produced in the Barossa Valley.

   In the coastal regions, menthol notes can be detected in the bouquet, and the Hunter Valley is famous for its chocolate and strawberry flavors.

3. Spain (19829 hectares)

   In Spain, spicy Shiraz is combined with Cabernet Sauvignon and local varieties to create unique blends.

4. Argentina (12949 hectares)

   The most popular grape variety in Australia. At least 25 Australian wine regions produce excellent Shiraz, from Queensland's Granite Belt to Tasmania's Tamar Valley, no other country offers such a wide range of Shiraz from different terroirs.

5. South Africa (10117 hectares)

   The most elegant wines are produced in Elgin, Constantia, Cederberg, Malgas and Cape Agulhas.

   But do not discount other regions, namely: Stellenbosch, Paarl, Wellington, Franschhoek, Tulbagh and Swartland.

6. USA (9307 hectares)

   In the United States, Shiraz wine producers are concentrated in California, Texas and Washington. Drinks here are good and almost as good as French ones.

7. Italy (6879 hectares)

   In Italy, the best Syrah drinks are made in Tuscany: experimenting, local winemakers create complex, multifaceted bouquets. Soft, velvety varietal specimens and unusual blends are produced in Sicily, and Veneto is famous for the elegant flavors of Shiraz.

8. Chile (6070 hectares)

   A juicy wine that, due to the diverse climate of Chile, varies from region to region. The taste is characterized by spices, fruity hints and a charming, complex bouquet in the aroma.

   The most famous Syrah regions in Chile are Colchagua, Maipo and Limari, each offering many different aromas, flavors and levels of complexity.

Taste of Syrah wine

Syrah wine is believed to have one of the darkest colors in the world.

Also a wide range of fruit flavors from sweet blueberry to salty black olive.

In the first sip of Syrah, you will feel a rich taste, followed by a spicy peppery aftertaste.

Because of this, Syrah is often blended with other grapes that make the drink more complete and complete, for example, Cabernet Sauvignon.

Traditionally, in France, Syrah is blended with light Grenache and even richer Mourvedre to create the classic Côtes du Rhône blend.

How and with what to drink Syrah wine

1. Serving temperature: 60-68°F / 16-20°C

2. Glass type: for wine

3. Tasting: 1 hour

4. Food and snacks: dark meat, lamb, shawarma, gyros, Asian food with pork, Indian food with tandoori meat.

5 facts about Syrah wine

1. Hermitage

   One of the most expensive Syrah labels in the world - from a more than 340-acre appellation called Hermitage. The best wines come from a hill near the village of Tain l'Hermitage and are known for their floral and smoky aromas of blackberries and grilled meat.

2. Name

   The name Syrah probably came from the word "Siracrus" - a city in Sicily.

   Siracusa was a powerful city during the Greek rule in 400 BC.

3. Origin of the Syrah variety

   Syrah's parents are two very little-known grape varieties: Dureza and Mondes Blanc.

   Dureza is from Southern France, north of the Nîmes, in the Ardèche department.

   Mondeuse Blanche can be found in Savoy.

4. Specificity of the terroir

   Winemakers often say: "Syrah loves a view" because the best vineyards are usually located on top of hills where there is less soil, resulting in smaller (but more concentrated) grapes.

5. Winemaking

   Since Syrah grapes have thick skins and high tannin levels, it is common practice for winemakers to cold soak the grapes for several days (or even weeks)!).

   Cold steeping (extended maceration) enhances the color and fruit richness of the wine, as well as reduces its harsh tannin and herbal flavors.

Update: 07.06.2019

Category: Wine and Vermouth