Shiraz

Shiraz is one of the most popular black grape varieties in the world. It’s also known as Syrah in Old World wine regions, with Northern Rhône in France being the classic region for internationally renowned premium-quality Syrah. When it comes to New World Shiraz, the Barossa Valley in South Australia holds the title for oldest Shiraz vines in existence, producing high quality wines with very rich, concentrated dark fruit and oak flavours, along with a high alcohol content.

Syrah is often blended with Grenache and Mourvèdre in France, particularly in the Languedoc-Roussillon region, where you can discover Syrah blends at fantastic value for money. The addition of Grenache softens the tannins and acidity, increases the alcohol level and adds extra spice. Shiraz from Australia on the other hand, is often blended with Viognier, which smooths the texture of the wine and adds subtle notes of tropical fruit. Delicious!

Shiraz Tasting Notes

Blackberry

Pepper

Leather

Raisin

Chocolate

Old World Syrah is grown in a moderate climate, resulting in herbaceous notes, earthy nuances, spicy black pepper and flavours of smoked meat. Ageing in oak adds a toasty aroma along with complex notes of old leather, tobacco and wet leaves. Syrah won’t ripen at all in cool climates, which is why this style generally comes from warmer areas such as the South of France.

Hotter climates generally produce fruitier, jammier flavours in wine, and Shiraz is no exception. Although it can vary in style depending where in the New World it is produced, Shiraz is known for being far more fruit-driven than Syrah, and is famous for its lashings of blackberries and high alcohol content. It’s Shiraz that tends to show sweeter notes of liquorice, raisins and chocolate, with vanilla and coconut added into the mix if it’s then aged in new oak.

Shiraz Wine Style

Full and Fruity Red Wine

Light Full-Bodied

Similar to Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz grapes are small with thick, deep coloured skins, known for its deep purple hue and grippy tannins. Wines tend to be full-bodied with medium acicity and a mixture of intense black fruit and complex flavours, ranging from animal notes of leather to smoky notes of tobacco.

Although we are talking about the same grape, the Old World / New World differentiation in name can also be an indication of style; Syrah is often regarded as savoury and earthy, while Shiraz is more fruit-driven. For certain vineyards in South Africa and Chile, some winemakers may use the name Syrah over Shiraz, and these will be different from Syrah grown in Old World, European climates. Just to make things even more confusing!

Wine Regions

Syrah is the king of the Northern Rhône in France, and is internationally recognised as the home of top quality, expensive Syrah. It’s a versatile grape that also shines in many appellations of the South of France, with some stunning Syrah-Grenache blends emerging from appellations such as Minervois. Australia is the top New World wine producing country for premium Shiraz. Hot climate regions such as Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale and Hunter Valley have become synonymous with delicious, fruit-driven Shiraz, displaying those sweeter notes of liquorice, vanilla and dark chocolate.

Although more commonly known as Shiraz in South Africa and South America, certain vineyards in South Africa and Chile refer to this grape as Syrah, as a nod to tradition (so the term Syrah on a bottle won’t necessarily indicate it’s French!) South African Shiraz tends to be full bodied with flavours of raisin and jammy fruit (even when it’s called Syrah, which would normally imply an earthier, herbaceous character), while Chilean Shiraz from San Antonio is a little more elegant with fresh fruit flavours due to the cooler climate.

What Food Goes with Shiraz?

Shiraz is the perfect accompaniment for steak, roast beef, smoked brisket, and hard cheeses with good acidity. It has plenty of depth and weight, so you need to make sure you’re matching it with a food of the same heaviness. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Australian Shiraz is also fantastic with a BBQ!

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