Syrah grapevines in the vineyard in Columbia Valley in Washington State
Syrah, also known as Shiraz, is a popular red wine. Though the spiritual homeland of this red grape is France, Syrah has been planted all over the world to great success. It expresses itself differently depending on the climate, soil, and regional style, though certain characteristics remain the same. Syrah is typically bold and full-bodied with aromatic notes of smoke, black fruit and pepper spice. Stylistically, it can be round and fruity or dense and tannic. And in warmer New World regions, Syrah might be called Shiraz. Whatever the name, Syrah/Shiraz offers a style for everyone.
What’s the difference between Shiraz and Syrah? Where does Syrah come from? What about Shiraz?
Technically, Syrah and Shiraz are the same grape. The difference is regional culture and climate-driven style. Winemakers who work in cooler-climate growing regions, both in the Old World and New World, tend to call their wines Syrah. The most famous examples come from the Northern Rhône Valley of France, notably Hermitage and Côte-Rôtie. In the New World, Sonoma Coast, California; Yarra Valley, Australia; and parts of Chile, call their wines Syrah because they stylistically emulate the leaner, acid-driven, savory styles of the Old-World European classics.
Shiraz, on the other hand, tends to come from warmer growing climates, namely South Australia. Not only have they culturally adopted the term Shiraz, but stylistically, the wines are lush, fruit-forward, liquid embodiments of the warmer, sunnier climate.
What does Syrah taste like?
Syrah is a dry, full-bodied, opaque wine with brisk acidity, moderate to high alcohol (13-14.5%) and firm tannins. The best Syrah taste has a range of flavors, from smoke, bacon, herbs, red and black fruits, white and black pepper, to floral violet notes. When aged in oak, Syrah takes on tertiary flavors like vanilla and baking spice. Syrah taste tends to be more elegant, lean and savory than its powerful, fruit-driven cousin Shiraz.
Shiraz grapes lies inside a wine crate on the floor during harvesting wit a rush blue and purple ... [+]
What does Shiraz taste like?
Wine drinkers looking for bold, full-bodied wines should reach for Shiraz. The wines are opaque, ruby-purple in hue, and offer concentrated jammy aromas and flavors of blueberry and blackberry along with big, ripe tannins. Smoked meat notes (beef jerky and bacon) along with black pepper spice, are characteristic. Alcohols tend to be higher (14-15.5%) as are degrees of oak use and oak aging. Look to Barossa Valley for benchmark examples.
What is the color of Syrah/Shiraz?
Syrah/Shiraz has a deep red ruby to purple hue because it’s made with red-skinned grapes. When youthful, wines can be inky and opaque. The color is generally darker than Cabernet Sauvignon. Syrah color changes with age, losing pigmentation and concentration while taking on garnet tones. Though not very common, Syrah may be used to make rose wines.
How much alcohol does a bottle of Syrah/Shiraz have?
The alcohol level in Syrah/Shiraz depends on where it’s grown and the weather the year it was harvested. Cooler regions have lower alcohol, as do wet and cold vintages. Warmer regions, or dry and hot vintages, will increase alcohol levels. Syrah from cooler regions like France, or colder vintages, often has 13–14% alcohol by volume (abv) but can approach 14.5-15.5% when it is grown in a warmer climate or hotter vintage, as is typical in South Australia. And riper, bolder styles of Shiraz may have higher alcohol due to longer hang time on the vines – an intentional choice.
Sunrise view of rows of syrah grapevines along a rolling hillside near the village of Cornas in the ... [+]
What foods pair best with Syrah? What about Shiraz?
Syrah from cooler climates like France and Sonoma Coast, have 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 ragù. Shiraz is riper and fruit-forward. Easy-drinking, fruity Shiraz goes great with casual fare like burgers and BBQ ribs. Richer, fuller-bodied styles with higher alcohol work with grilled beef, lamb, and other roasted or braised meats. As with any pairing, try to match the wine’s weight and flavor intensity with the weight and flavor intensity of the food.
Is Syrah/Shiraz sweet or dry?
Syrah and Shiraz are usually made in dry styles, though occasionally entry-level Shiraz may have a touch of residual sugar (RS). Keep in mind, the impression of tasting ripe fruit flavors like blueberry and blackberry, especially in warm-climate Shiraz, is not due to sugar content. 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, the sugar is converted, it creates a fully dry wine. Sometimes, a little RS 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. A few grams per liter of RS is still considered a dry wine, however.
How many calories and carbs does Syrah have?
Syrah is typically dry. Of course, wine with little to no sugar doesn’t equate to wine without calories. Alcohol has calories. Typically, a 5-ounce serving of Syrah has around 125 calories, or 625 calories in a 750ml bottle. Wines with more alcohol, like Shiraz, have higher calories per glass – around 175 for 15% alcohol. Sometimes Shiraz has a touch of RS, increasing the calorie and carbohydrate content, but only a by a small amount. Dry wines usually range between zero and 4 grams of carbohydrates.
How should I serve Syrah/Shiraz?
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 else 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 by 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 2–4 days. Beyond that, the wine will start to oxidize.
