October 12, 2023
Like many of us, Syrah has extravagant taste when it comes to real estate, as it is said that this grape variety loves hilltops and water views. A sun worshiper, Syrah also prefers hot climates where higher altitudes and sea or river breezes offer lower nighttime temperatures that help maintain acidity and freshness. In addition to its fondness for desirable locations, Syrah has a dual personality: It is called Shiraz in Australia and South Africa—and may be called by either name elsewhere in the world. The varietal name on a label can offer some insight into the type of wine that may be found within the bottle. “Syrah” often connotes an Old World style of winemaking, while “Shiraz” can indicate more of a New World technique and flavor profile. Old World Syrah, especially from France, generally exhibits elegance and restraint, while New World versions, particularly from Australia and California, have been known for more of a fruit forward profile, which has been toned down and refined in recent years.
Although its moniker hints at an exotic past (it’s rumored to have been named for the city of Shiraz in the ancient Persian Empire, the Sicilian city of Syracuse or the Greek island Syra), DNA analysis and parentage point to an origin in France, most likely the Rhône Valley. Here it is the main grape in the wines of Hermitage, Côte-Rôtie, Cornas, and St.-Joseph in the northern Rhône. France has the largest amount of Syrah vines of any country on the planet; the grape is now widely planted throughout both the northern and southern Rhône and Languedoc-Roussillon. French Syrah, especially at the high end, is produced in an elegant style that features flavors of blackberry, cassis, black olive, anise, and smoked meat. These full-bodied wines offer strong tannins that are tamed by rich acidity.
Whether bottled on its own or in a Rhone-style GSM blend with Grenache and Mourvedre, Shiraz is far and away Australia’s most popular variety. Australian Shiraz is often a full-on powerhouse, from the first scent of blackberry, blueberry, violet, spice and black pepper, to tastes of black cherry, cassis, jalapeno, chocolate and espresso, to its long, chewy finish. Californian Syrah is also known as a big, powerful wine, with flavors of plum, black cherry, cassis, anise, black pepper, and leather. It is also made in a more elegant style, with an emphasis on the savory notes of Mediterranean herbs and earth.
Wherever it hails from and whatever it’s called, Syrah is a great match with flame-kissed steak, especially skirt steak with chimichurri or hanger steak with Provençal sauce. New World Syrah’s bold acidity makes it a good match for foods that have touches of sweetness and spice. Try it with Chinese takeout, in particular spareribs, pepper steak, and spicy sesame noodles. French Syrah is a natural alongside roasted chicken with herbes du Provence, Moroccan-spiced lamb kebabs, and ratatouille. Here are nine Syrahs to be on the lookout for.
Glaetzer 2016 The Eye of Rã Barossa Valley Australia
Winemaker Ben Glaetzer’s family has been in the Barossa Valley for over 125 years. He makes wines from grapes grown in Ebenezer, a small sub-district of the Northern Barossa Valley. He has received numerous awards including Robert M. Parker Junior Wine Personality of the Year, Qantas Young Winemaker of the Year, and Baron of the Barossa for his work in the valley. This tasty wine is named after the Egyptian god Amon-Ra, the king of the Egyptian gods. Purple colored with aromas of black raspberry, black plum, and freshly cut herbs, it has chewy tannins and flavors of blackberry, cassis, and a touch of white peppercorn in the enduring finish.
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