Syrah Wines

Syrah, or Shiraz as it's known in Australia, is a dark-skinned grape which typically produces powerful full-bodied red wines with opulent notes of blackberry, cassis, blueberry and black pepper spice. Syrah wines usually have a deep, inky colour, high tannins and fairly high acidity. Most are aged in oak barrels for extended periods and the best Syrah wines can be cellared for decades.

Key Syrah Wine Regions

The world's largest Syrah plantings are found in the Rhone Valley in France where the grape is often blended with Grenache and Mourvedre. The most prestigious appellations here are Hermitage, Cornas, the Cote-Rotie, and St Joseph. Syrah wines from this region typically have more acidity and earthy, savoury notes of leather, olives, and smoked meat. The other key regions are the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale in Australia whose Shiraz wines tend to be more fruit-driven with lots of rich, ripe dark berry flavours and plenty of spice.

Top Syrah Food Pairings

Best Syrah wines are big, bold and full of flavour, so it's recommended to pair them with hearty dishes. Great options include barbecued ribs, roast lamb, rich winter stews, game dishes or even burgers. Seasonings like herbes de provence can work particularly well since they help bring out Syrah's subtle aromatics and earthy notes. Also, Syrah cheese pairing is quite popular among wine lovers, especially enjoying Syrah with blue cheeses like Roquefort or gorgonzola.