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Syrah Grape

Mon, 06 Mar 2006 10:21:00 -0600

Actually Syrah is only a secondary grape in Chateauneuf du Pape, where granche is the most important varietal.

It is a Rhone grape, but you should be thinking northern, not Southern.

Syrah Grape

Thu, 02 Mar 2006 16:40:37 -0600

It's called Syrah in France where the grape originated, specifically Cotes du Rhone where it's made into such classic wines as Chateauneuf du Pape. Syrah is one of the "noble grape" varieties like Chardonnay, CabSauv, Merlot, Nebbiolo, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc et al. In Australia the grape is called shiraz and is in fact almost their national grape. No country has taken the syrah grape and made it their own quite like the Aussies. In Australia the Shiraz varietal is made into completely different wines than Cotes du Rhone. While the French wine is lighter, earthy, complex the Aussie Shiraz is big, dark, bold and spicy. Shiraz is for the barby, syrah is for fine dining and white tableclothes. I find Shiraz almost overpowering when served with most meals but on it's own its quite nice. However with a big steak, burger, ribs and wings nothing complements the food better than Shiraz (or in contrast go the other way and serve a very light wine like a chilled Beaujolais, but I digress). In most other countries that grow the grape it's called both Syrah and Shiraz: Califronia, Chile and South Africa are the other major regions growing Shiraz.

Syrah Grape

Wed, 09 Nov 2005 08:31:33 -0600

"both names might in some sense be correct"

What do you mean?

Syrah Grape

Wed, 09 Nov 2005 08:26:23 -0600

It doesn't matter.

Grapes are often known by different names in dofferent geographic areas, and Oz has long been the land of peculiar English 'dialect'.

I think the reason that American wineries have started calling their products Shiraz, and not Syrah, is that thanx to Oz, Shiraz sold much better than wines called Syrah. I also think it is an affectation which is off-putting. Next thing you know, we will be referring to Chenin Blanc as Steen.

Syrah Grape

Wed, 09 Nov 2005 06:48:19 -0600

This one grape, when made into a wine is called different names in different places and at different times, and both names might in some sense be correct. What distinguishes a wine made from the Syrah grape to be a Syrah or Shiraz? Or does it matter?

Shiraz versus Syrah

Thu, 26 May 2005 15:56:45 -0600

From my understanding Shiraz is the Australian spelling and pronunciation for Syrah. So they are the same grape. I hope this offers some help.

Shiraz versus Syrah

Wed, 11 May 2005 07:51:55 -0600

First, how do you pronouce these wines and second, what's the difference between the two. Please help, I'm lost in a wine haze.