Syrah facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Shiraz (Syrah) |
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| Grape (Vitis) | |
A cluster of Shiraz grapes, from an old book about grape varieties (1902)
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| Color of berry skin | Black |
| Also called | Syrah, Hermitage, Antourenein noir, Candive, Entournerein, Hignin noir, Marsanne noir |
| Notable regions | Rhône, California AVAs, Texoma AVA, Texas High Plains AVA, Hunter Valley, McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley, Columbia Valley AVA, Grand Valley AVA |
| Notable wines | Côte-Rôtie, Hermitage |
| Ideal soil | Stony granite |
| Wine characteristics | |
| General | High tannins, high acidity, blackberry, dark chocolate |
| Medium climate | Mint, eucalyptus, smoked meat, black pepper |
| Hot climate | Liquorice, cloves, espresso, mocha, dark chocolate |
| With age | Leather, wet leaves, earth |
Syrah, also known as Shiraz, is a type of grape variety with dark skin. It is grown all over the world and is mainly used to make red wine. In 1999, scientists found that Syrah is a mix of two less common grapes from southeastern France: Dureza and Mondeuse Blanche. It's important not to confuse Syrah with Petite Sirah, which is a different grape created in 1880 by mixing Syrah with another grape called Peloursin.
The taste and style of wines made from Syrah depend a lot on the climate where the grapes grow. In places with moderate climates, like the northern Rhone Valley in France or parts of Walla Walla AVA in Washington State, the wines are usually medium to full-bodied. They have a good amount of tannins (which make your mouth feel dry) and taste like blackberry, mint, and black pepper.
In hotter places, such as Crete or the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale areas in Australia, Syrah wines are often full-bodied. They have softer tannins and taste more like jammy fruit, with spices like licorice and anise, and earthy notes like leather. The natural acidity and tannin levels in Syrah grapes mean that these wines can often be stored for a long time and taste even better as they get older.
Syrah is used on its own to make wine, or it can be mixed with other grapes. In 2004, Syrah was the 7th most grown grape in the world, covering about 142,600 hectares (352,000 acres). You can find it growing in many countries, from France to newer wine regions like Chile, South Africa, Hawke's Bay and Waiheke in New Zealand, California, and Washington. It's also very popular in many Australian wine regions, including Barossa, Heathcote, Coonawarra, Hunter Valley, Margaret River, and McLaren Vale.
The Story of Syrah Grapes
Where Syrah Comes From
Syrah grapes have been grown in the Rhône region of southeastern France for a very long time. However, people weren't sure if the grape actually started there. In 1998, a research team at the University of California, Davis used DNA typing to study grapes. They found that Syrah is the child of two other grape types: Dureza (the father) and Mondeuse blanche (the mother). This discovery showed that Syrah is truly from France.
Why It's Called Syrah or Shiraz
In its home country, France, and in most of Europe, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, New Zealand, and South Africa, this grape is called Syrah. The name "Shiraz" became very popular for this grape in Australia. It has been the most grown dark-skinned grape there for a long time. In Australia, it was also called Hermitage until the late 1980s. But since "Hermitage" is also a special French wine region name, they stopped using it to avoid confusion when selling wine to other countries.
The grape has many other names around the world, such as Antourenein noir, Balsamina, Candive, Entournerein, Hignin noir, Marsanne noir, Schiras, Sirac, Syra, Syrac, Serine, and Sereine.
Some old stories say that the Syrah grape came from the city of Shiraz in Iran. Shiraz was once the capital of the Persian Empire and was famous for its wine. These legends claim that the Syrah grape was brought from Shiraz to the Rhône region in France. There are different versions of this story, some saying it happened as far back as 1,800 years ago. One story suggests that Greek settlers brought the grape to their colony near Marseilles (in France) around 600 BC. However, there is no real proof for these legends, and DNA tests show the grape's true origin is France.
The idea that Syrah came from Shiraz in Iran might actually be a French story. A writer named James Busby wrote in 1826 that an old French book mentioned a tradition. This tradition said the "Scyras" plant came from Shiraz in Persia, brought by a hermit from the mountains.
The name "Shiraz" is mostly used in Australia today. Some people think it's just a different way of saying "Syrah" that developed in Australia. However, the spelling "Shiraz" was also used in British writings as early as the 1830s. So, while Australia made the name "Shiraz" famous, it might not have started there.
Other Old Stories
Another old story about the grape's origin is that Roman soldiers brought it from Syracuse in Italy around AD 280. But like the Shiraz legend, there's no proof for this story, and it doesn't match what we know about the grape's DNA.
How Syrah Became Famous
The wines that made Syrah well-known came from Hermitage, a hill in northern Rhône, France. For centuries, Hermitage wines were known for being strong and excellent. Even famous people like Thomas Jefferson were interested in them. However, in the early 1900s, these wines became less popular.
In the 1700s and early 1800s, much of the Hermitage wine that left France was used to blend with Bordeaux wines. Back then, Bordeaux wines were not as strong as they are today. Winemakers would add red wines from warmer regions, like Hermitage, to make their Bordeaux wines better, especially in years when the grapes weren't as good.
Syrah Arrives in Australia
In 1831, a Scotsman named James Busby, who is often called "the Father of Australian viticulture," traveled to Europe. He collected cuttings (small pieces of vines) from grapes, mostly from France and Spain, to bring back to Australia. One of the grapes he collected was Syrah, which he spelled as "Scyras" or "Ciras." These cuttings were planted in the Sydney Botanical Gardens and in the Hunter Region. By the 1860s, Syrah had become a very important grape in Australia.
Syrah Today
Syrah is still the main grape in northern Rhône, France. It's used to make famous wines like Hermitage, Cornas, and Côte-Rôtie. In southern Rhône, it's often mixed with other grapes, like Grenache, in wines such as Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Côtes du Rhône. While the best Syrah wines can age for many years, younger ones can be enjoyed for their fresh berry flavors and smooth tannins. Syrah is often used in blends because its rich fruit flavors can improve other wines.
Since the 1970s, and especially from the 1990s, Syrah has become much more popular. More and more of it has been planted in both old and new wine regions. In the early 2000s, it became one of the top 10 most planted grape varieties in the world.
Shiraz Wines
The name "Shiraz" comes from the city of Shiraz in Iran. Historically, this name was used for a wine that was not related to today's Shiraz wines. That old wine was made from different grapes than the Syrah grape we know, which comes from France.
Small amounts of Syrah are also used to make other types of wine, like rosé wine (pink wine), fortified wine (stronger wine, like Port), and sparkling red wine. Some Australian sparkling Shiraz wines are a bit sweet, but many winemakers also make a dry sparkling Shiraz. These dry sparkling wines can have complex flavors, similar to still wines.
Because they have strong flavors and a lot of tannins, many high-quality Syrah wines taste best after being stored in bottles for some time. In special cases, they can age for 15 years or even longer.
Syrah wines are best served at about 18 °C (65 °F), which is one of the highest recommended serving temperatures for wine.
Taste and Flavors
Wines made from Syrah are often very flavorful and full-bodied. The grape can produce wines with many different tastes, depending on the climate, soil, and how the grapes are grown. The smells can range from violets to dark berries, chocolate, and black pepper. While no single smell is "typical," blackberry, coffee, and pepper are often noticed. As the wine ages, these fresh fruit smells change and are joined by earthy or savory smells like leather.
Syrah or Shiraz on Labels
In northern Rhône, France, where Syrah is the main grape, wines are usually not labeled with the grape name. Instead, the label shows the name of the wine region, like Cote-Rotie or Hermitage. So, putting "Syrah" or "Shiraz" on a wine label is something that started in newer wine regions, especially in Australia.
Generally, most Australian and South African wines are labeled "Shiraz." Most European wines (from places that do label by grape type) are called "Syrah." In other countries, winemakers might choose "Syrah" or "Shiraz" to show a difference in the wine's style. Wines labeled "Syrah" are often thought to be more like the classic French Rhône reds. They might be more elegant, have more tannins, a smoky flavor, and less strong fruit. Wines labeled "Shiraz" are often seen as more like the typical Australian wines. They might be made from riper grapes, have stronger fruit flavors, higher alcohol, and be easier to drink when young. However, this is just a general idea, and not all wines follow this rule.
Syrah Around the World
Syrah has become very popular in the last few decades, and more of it is being grown in many countries. It grows best in warmer regions. Both "Syrah"-labeled and "Shiraz"-labeled wines are becoming more common.
It is grown in many wine producing regions worldwide, with large amounts in Australia, the Rhône Valley in France, and the US. It is also often used in blends in Spain and Italy. Portugal also grows Syrah and often makes wines using only this grape.
Italy
In Italy, Syrah is grown in Tuscany, Lazio, and Apulia. There is also a special wine region in Piedmont that makes Syrah. However, the region that has made some of the best use of Syrah is Sicily, where it is often mixed with Nero d'Avola grapes.
France
Syrah, as it's known in France, is grown all over the Rhône valley. The wines made from it can be very different, even if the vines are just a short distance apart. Differences in soil and the slope of the land create different wine styles. For example, Hermitage wines can be mineral and tannic, while Côte-Rôtie wines are often fruity and fragrant.
Syrah is also a key part of many blended wines. It can add structure and color to Grenache in southern Rhône blends, like Côtes-du-Rhône and Châteauneuf-du-Pape. In the northern Rhône, Syrah is the only red grape used to make wine.
In 1968, there were only about 2,700 hectares (6,700 acres) of Syrah vineyards in France. But after wine writers "rediscovered" the wines of northern Rhône in the 1970s, more Syrah was planted. This trend grew even more in the 1980s and 1990s, partly because a famous wine writer gave high scores to some Rhône wines. The popularity of Australian Shiraz also helped. By 1999, France had 50,700 hectares (125,000 acres) of Syrah vineyards, making it the country with the most Syrah in the world.
Most of the new Syrah vineyards in France are in the southern Rhône and Languedoc-Roussillon regions. While southern Rhône doesn't make many wines that are mostly Syrah, the amount of Syrah in their blended wines has been increasing. Languedoc-Roussillon uses Syrah to make blends similar to those in southern Rhône (with Grenache), blends like Australian wines (with Cabernet Sauvignon), and wines made only from Syrah.
Spain
In Spain, the area where Syrah grapes are grown increased a lot, from about 4,000 hectares (9,900 acres) in 1990 to 19,045 hectares (47,060 acres) in 2009.
Switzerland
Syrah grapes were brought to Switzerland in 1926. By 2009, it was the 6th most common red wine grape there, covering 181 hectares (447 acres). It's mostly grown in Valais, along the upper Rhône valley, and makes strong wines from older vines.
Australia
The Syrah grape arrived in Australia in 1832, brought by James Busby. It is almost always called "Shiraz" there. Today, it's Australia's most popular red grape. However, this wasn't always the case. In the 1970s, white wine was so popular that growers were removing Shiraz vineyards because they weren't making enough money.
Many things helped Shiraz become popular again, including the success of brands like Lindemans and Jacob's Creek. This led to a huge increase in plantings during the 1980s and 1990s. The biggest reason for this growth was a steady increase in exports, helped by the low value of the Australian dollar.
In the 2005–2006 growing season, Australia had 41,115 hectares (101,600 acres) of Shiraz vineyards. This made Shiraz the most planted grape in Australia and Australia the second largest Syrah/Shiraz grower in the world, after France.
Cooler regions in Australia, like Margaret River in Western Australia, produce Shiraz with slightly less alcohol, often in a style more similar to traditional French wines.
A very famous Australian Shiraz wine is the Penfolds "Grange". This wine was created in 1951 and is known for aging very well. Penfolds Grange is mostly Shiraz but often has a small amount of Cabernet Sauvignon. It's usually a mix of high-quality Shiraz from different parts of South Australia, especially the Barossa Valley, and is aged in new American oak barrels. Other well-known Australian Shiraz wines include the Henschke "Hill of Grace."
Recently, Australian Shiraz winemakers have started adding a small amount (up to 4%) of Viognier grapes to their Shiraz. This adds apricot smells and tastes to the wine. When such a small amount is added, winemakers don't have to list it on the label. However, it's now becoming popular to label the wine "Shiraz Viognier" as Viognier becomes more known. Mixing Viognier with Syrah has actually been common for many years in the Cote-Rotie region of northern Rhône.
"Shiraz" is also the "S" in "GSM" (Grenache-Shiraz-Mourvèdre), which is a common Australian name for a blend similar to Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines.
South Africa
South African vineyards have planted a lot more Syrah. From 1% of the vineyard area in 1995, it grew to 9.7% in 2007, covering 9,856 hectares (24,350 acres). In South Africa, the grape is mostly called "Shiraz," but "Syrah" is used for wines that are made in a "Rhône-style." Some people think this grape is the "great hope" for South African wines.
United States
In the United States, wine made from this grape is usually called by its French name, "Syrah." However, if winemakers want their wine to be more like the Australian style (like Penfolds Grange), they might label it "Shiraz." Under American wine laws, either name can be used on the label. Syrah first appeared in California in the 1970s, planted by a group of grape growers called "Rhône rangers." Most Syrah is grown in California, but more and more is being grown in Washington state. Syrah makes up a lot of the wine produced in some Washington wine regions, like Naches Heights AVA and the Walla Walla AVA. Syrah is also found in small regions in Ohio.
California Syrah wines, like those in France, vary a lot depending on the climate and terroir (the special characteristics of the land). In very warm areas, like parts of Napa, the wine is often mixed with other Rhône grapes. Other regions, especially mountainous ones, tend to make wines using only Syrah. Syrah was brought to Washington state in 1986. It is growing quickly there and is used to make wines from just Syrah, or it is blended with grapes like Grenache, Cinsault, and Viognier.
Argentina
Syrah vineyards in Argentina grew from less than 1,000 hectares (2,500 acres) in 1990 to 9,500 hectares (23,000 acres) in 2002. Syrah is sometimes mixed with Argentina's main dark-skinned grape, Malbec, to create an "Argentinian" version of the Australian Cabernet-Shiraz blend.
Chile
Around 2005, there were about 2,500 hectares (6,200 acres) of Syrah grown in Chile.
Durif Grapes
Durif, also known as Petite Sirah, is a grape that came from Syrah and Peloursin. It was developed by and named after Dr. Francois Durif. Durif is a mix between the less common Peloursin and Syrah. Regions like Rutherglen in Australia are known for their Durif wines. This grape is similar to Shiraz but makes even fuller-bodied and more tannic wines because its grapes are smaller and have thicker skins. Petite Sirah is widely planted in California, where it is popular on its own and especially when mixed with Zinfandel. This blend makes a rich, bold, and fruity wine.
See also
In Spanish: Syrah (uva) para niños
