What’s the Distinction Between Syrah and Shiraz?

The variations between Syrah and Shiraz are a bit like tomato or to-MAH-to. Regardless of the way you slice it, they’re the identical grape. Nevertheless, regardless of representing the identical selection, every identify tends to mirror a definite model or homeland. Which means that the time period you see on a label can mirror drastically on what you’ll expertise inside the bottle. 

“The names Syrah and Shiraz are indicative of origin and its related model, however the defining traits of the grape stay,” says Abe Zarate, wine director at Crane Membership. “Consider it as somebody named John being known as Juan in the event that they grew up in Mexico. Usually, we name the wine Syrah when it comes from France, and Shiraz if it comes from Australia.” 

Zarate says that whereas the Northern Rhône is Syrah’s viticultural residence, the variability is cultivated internationally. 

“A few of these areas are thought of traditional examples as effectively — South Africa: Swartland, Stellenbosch; and domestically, California: Sonoma Coast, Paso Robles; together with certainly one of my favorites, Washington State: Walla Walla, Yakima Valley,” he says. 

For the variability, components like local weather, soil, and topography play closely right into a wine’s taste profile and the traits of every moniker’s model. Extra generally, wines from France and different cooler areas will make use of the identify Syrah and provide a leaner, extra high-acid and moderate-tannin sip, with pronounced peppery spice. Choices from Australia and different hotter climates will usually yield jammier, fuller-bodied and extra tannic expressions of Shiraz. 

Contemplating the supply of the grapes and their corresponding terroir will assist information customers as to what to typically anticipate from the sip. 

By way of particular flavors, Zarate describes the intrinsic qualities of the grape as having notes of darkish fruit, dried herbs, violets, black pepper, and a savoriness that may flip into meatiness with age. 

“The darkish fruit notes of Syrah from the cool local weather of the Northern Rhône will likely be highly effective however restrained, whereas Shiraz from a a lot hotter Barossa Valley in Australia will present its darkish fruit as a lot riper, with elevated alcohol, a fuller physique, and bolder construction throughout,” he says. 

Extra widespread traits of Syrah embody blackcurrant, blackberry, crimson plum, raspberry, smoked meat, pepper, and black olives, together with earthy and floral nuances. With Shiraz, fruit flavors reminiscent of blackberry, black plum, and blueberry can veer extra into the jammy spectrum of ripeness, with further notes of smokiness and candy baking spices. 

Zarate says that there are all the time exceptions to the principles. Cool-climate expressions might be present in Australia, and vice versa. 

“Many producers in these cooler-climate Australian areas — Victoria or Yarra Valley — will select to label their wines as Syrah over Shiraz to visually talk that the wine will style just like its French counterparts,” he says. 

Comparable labeling intentionality might be discovered from winemakers within the U.S. and South Africa, as producers search to alert customers as to what common model of fruitiness, alcohol, spice, and construction to anticipate from their bottlings.

There are various threads that tie the 2 collectively, however the shared food-friendliness of Syrah and Shiraz is unmatched. Grilled lamb chops, roasted duck breast, venison, and cassoulet are all traditional pairings for cooler-climate Syrah, whereas heavier dishes like rib eye, brisket, and brief ribs come to life when served with jammier expressions of Shiraz. 

Zarate cites grilled meats, barbecue, and onerous cheeses as his favourite pairings for the grapes. He says that any dishes ready with thyme, rosemary, or ample quantities of pepper are equally pleasant with the wines. 

So, when is Syrah or Shiraz a more sensible choice than the opposite? To Zarate, it’s merely a matter of temper and private choice. 

“In the event you’re feeling cozy and heat, Shiraz from Barossa or Walla Walla may improve that,” he says. “In the event you’re feeling daring and edgy, you possibly can’t go flawed with a youthful Syrah from Côte-Rôtie or Sonoma Coast.” 

6 Bottles of Syrah/Shiraz to Strive

2018 d’Arenberg The Useless Arm McLaren Vale Shiraz ($50)

An Australian commonplace, this 100% Shiraz is aged in a mix of latest and used French oak barriques. It’s ripe and full of taste, boasting notes of black fruits, licorice, tobacco, iodine, and candy spice.

2023 Jean-Louis Chave Choice Saint-Joseph Offerus ($35)

This 100% Syrah from the Northern Rhône is vinified with 50% entire clusters and aged in a mix of barriques and foudres for 18 months. It’s smoky and peppery, with notes of crimson fruits, violets, and scorched earth.

2022 Mullineux Household Wines Swartland Syrah ($45) 

This South African Syrah is silky and stylish, with flavors of blackberry, violet, and olive tapenade. It’s made completely from Syrah, vinified with 80% entire clusters and aged in 500-liter French barrels for 11 months, plus an extra 10 months earlier than bottling.

2022 Penfolds Bin 28 South Australia Shiraz ($32) 

An 100% Shiraz aged in American oak, this wine is ripe and purple-hued, with flavors of crimson and black fruits, jammy cherry, black pepper, baking spice, and a touch of toasted fennel seed.

2022 Presqu’ile Santa Barbara County Syrah ($30) 

This 100% destemmed California Syrah is aged for 18 months in barrel. It’s energetic and balanced, with notes of blackberry, leather-based, and graphite. 

2022 Yves Cuilleron Côte-Rôtie Bassenon ($95) 

This Northern Rhône traditional contains 10% Viognier and is fermented with native yeasts earlier than it’s aged in barrique for 18 months. It’s daring, smoky, and floral, with flavors of raspberry, lavender, violet, and cured meat.