
Syrah / Shiraz Wine
Learn about Syrah — taste profile, popular regions and more ...
Marked by an unmistakable deep purple hue and savory aromatics, Syrah, also known as Shiraz, accounts for a good deal of some of the most intense, powerful and age-worthy reds in the world. Native to the Northern Rhône, Syrah still achieves some of its maximum potential here, especially from Hermitage and Côte-Rôtie.
Syrah and Shiraz wine also plays an important component in the canonical Southern Rhône blends based on Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre, adding color, depth, complexity and structure to the mix. Today these blends have become well-appreciated from key appellations of the New World, namely Australia, California and increasingly, with praise, from Washington.
Due to the success of Australian “Shiraz,” winemakers throughout the world have adopted this synonym for Syrah when they have produced a plush and fruit forward wine made in the Australian style.
Tasting Notes for Syrah / Shiraz
Syrah/Shiraz is a dry, red wine that typically shows aromas and flavors of purple fruits, fragrant violets, baking spice and even bacon, smoke or black olive. In Australia, where it goes under the name Shiraz, it produces deep, dark, intense and often, jammy reds. While Northern Rhône examples are typically less fruity and more earthy, California appears increasingly capable of either style.
Perfect Food Pairings for Syrah / Shiraz
Flavorful Moroccan-spiced lamb, grilled meats, spareribs and hard, aged cheeses are perfect with Syrah. Blue cheeses are perfect with a dense and fruit-driven Australian Shiraz.
Sommelier Secrets for Syrah / Shiraz
Syrah once played a role as a blending partner to the austere Cabernet in Bordeaux as it added some body and texture. Now, Australians are fond of tempering their fruit-forward Shiraz by blending with Cabernet Sauvignon, which adds depth and structure.
- Cabernet Sauvignon716
- Pinot Noir671
- Bordeaux Red Blends587
- Other Red Blends330
- Tempranillo207
- Rhône Blends171
- Syrah/Shiraz149
- Malbec145
- Sangiovese143
- Merlot128
- Zinfandel101
- Nebbiolo80
- Grenache61
- Cabernet Franc53
- Gamay38
- Tuscan Blends36
- Barbera28
- Petite Sirah25
- Carmenere20
- Other Red Wine19
- Mourvedre15
- Montepulciano13
- Carignan12
- Mencia12
- Nero d'Avola10
- Dolcetto9
- Pinotage9
- Aglianico8
- Primitivo7
- Nerello Mascalese7
- Agiorgitiko5
- Bonarda4
- Corvina4
- Cinsault3
- Negroamaro3
- Tannat3
- Touriga Nacional2
- Frappato2
- Sagrantino2
- Zweigelt2
- Petit Verdot1
- Valdiguie1
- Alicante Bouschet1
- Blaufrankisch1
- Freisa1
- Gaglioppo1
- Grignolino1
- Refosco1
- St. Laurent1
-
K Vintners Powerline Syrah 2018Syrah/Shiraz from Walla Walla Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington
- JS
- JD
- V
- WS
-
Jaboulet Crozes Hermitage Domaine de Thalabert 2019Syrah/Shiraz from Crozes-Hermitage, Rhone, France
- JD
- RP
- JS
-
Mollydooker Blue Eyed Boy Shiraz 2020Syrah/Shiraz from McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia
-
Jaboulet Hermitage La Maison Bleue 2016Syrah/Shiraz from Hermitage, Rhone, France
- JS
- JD
- RP
- WS
-
Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage 2019Syrah/Shiraz from Hermitage, Rhone, France
- RP
- JD
- D
-
Shaw & Smith Shiraz 2019Syrah/Shiraz from Adelaide Hills, South Australia, Australia
- D
- JS
- JH
- WE
-
John Duval Entity Shiraz 2020Syrah/Shiraz from Barossa, South Australia, Australia
-
Torbreck The Factor Shiraz 2018Syrah/Shiraz from Barossa Valley, Barossa, South Australia, Australia
- JS
- RP
- D
- WE
- WS
-
K Vintners The Deal Syrah 2018Syrah/Shiraz from Wahluke Slope, Columbia Valley, Washington
- JS
- JD
-
Darioush Signature Shiraz 2017Syrah/Shiraz from Napa Valley, California
- WS
- RP
-
Neyers Garys' Vineyard Syrah 2017Syrah/Shiraz from Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey, Central Coast, California
-
K Vintners The Hidden Syrah 2018Syrah/Shiraz from Wahluke Slope, Columbia Valley, Washington
- JD
- JS
-
Jaboulet Les Jalets Rouge Crozes-Hermitage 2018Syrah/Shiraz from Crozes-Hermitage, Rhone, France
-
K Vintners The Beautiful Syrah 2017Syrah/Shiraz from Walla Walla Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington
- JS
- JD
- RP
-
Jam Jar Sweet Shiraz 2020Syrah/Shiraz from South Africa
-
Chateau Maris Les Planels Syrah 2017Syrah/Shiraz from Minervois La Liviniere, Minervois, Languedoc, South of France, France
- JS
- JD
- W&S
-
Il Borro Pian di Nova Rosso 2018Syrah/Shiraz from Tuscany, Italy
-
Optik Block 11D1 Syrah Bien Nacido Vineyard 2019Syrah/Shiraz from Santa Maria Valley, Central Coast, California
- WE
- SJ
- JD
-
Maison Brotte Marandy Saint-Joseph 2019Syrah/Shiraz from Saint-Joseph, Rhone, France
-
Bulletin Place Shiraz 2020Syrah/Shiraz from Australia
-
Yangarra Estate Vineyard Ironheart Shiraz 2016Syrah/Shiraz from McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia
- RP
- JS
- WE
- W&S
- WS
-
Arnot-Roberts Clary Ranch Syrah 2019Syrah/Shiraz from Petaluma Gap, Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California
- JS
- V
-
Radley & Finch Lazy Hare Shiraz 2020Syrah/Shiraz from South Africa
- WW
-
Chateau de Saint Cosme Cote Rotie 2019Syrah/Shiraz from Cote Rotie, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
- W&S
- JD
-
Klinker Brick Lodi Farrah Syrah 2019Syrah/Shiraz from Lodi, California