What is Syrah/Shiraz?
Quick answer
Syrah (called Shiraz in Australia and South Africa) is a red grape from France's northern Rhône Valley. It produces dark, powerful, spicy wines with aromas of blackberry, black pepper, violet and black olive. It is the sole grape behind the prestigious Côte-Rôtie and Hermitage appellations.
Detailed answer
Syrah is one of the world's great noble grapes, genetically identified as a natural cross between Dureza (a red grape from Ardèche) and Mondeuse Blanche (a white grape from Savoie). Despite persistent legends, it has no connection to the city of Shiraz in Iran.
In the northern Rhône, Syrah's birthplace, it reigns alone on vertiginous slopes. Côte-Rôtie ("the roasted slope") produces elegant, perfumed Syrahs, sometimes co-fermented with a touch of Viognier. Hermitage, on its granite hill, delivers wines of extraordinary power and longevity (30–50 years). Cornas, Saint-Joseph and Crozes-Hermitage round out the range at more accessible prices.
In the southern Rhône, Syrah enters blends with Grenache and Mourvèdre (the "GSM" blend) for appellations like Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Gigondas.
In Australia, where it is called Shiraz, the grape found a second homeland. The Barossa Valley produces opulent, concentrated Shiraz often aged in American oak (vanilla, coconut). The Australian style is generally richer and fruitier than the Rhône approach.
South Africa (Stellenbosch, Swartland) makes Syrahs in a style midway between Rhône and Australia. Chile, Argentina and California also offer excellent expressions.