Syrah vs. Shiraz

Wine of the Week

Syrah or Shiraz - What's the difference?

This week I am going to bring some clarity into the difference between Syrah and Shiraz. As I would say "Same shit, different pile", but this isn't shit it is one of the great noble grapes, so up Shiraz!

Syrah/Shiraz are the same grape with different regional spelling. Syrah is originally from France, and has been grown in the Rhone Valley there ever since Roman times. Shiraz is actually just Syrah pronounced with a thick Aussie accent.....()  It has small black berries with dark coloured skins. Syrah does not fully ripen in cool climates, but varies greatly depending on where it is planted. There are a few decent versions coming out of the Okanagan now too.

Winemakers outside of France and Australia will use either spelling with no any real standards. Most of the time it's Syrah, but sometimes if they are making an Aussie style wine, they will label it Shiraz.

Classic French Syrahs are big, age worthy classic wines usually with a some spice and a hint of herbaceousness. The best are from the northern Rhone, but they won't say Syrah on the bottle. They will be labeled with the appellation; the best being Côte-Rôtie and Hermitage,  but these are expensive. Try to get your hands on a Crozes-Hermitage a much larger appellation that is more accessible. These will have black pepper spice, some dark fruit, clove, leather, perhaps earthy notes, and chocolate.

The best Aussie Shiraz comes from their hot climate wine region's, Barossa Valley, Hunter Valley, and McLaren Vale. These are big and powerful wines, fuller bodied with riper fruit than the France; with notes of blueberry, eucalyptus, sweet spices, and dark chocolate . With more noticeable oak notes like vanilla, smoke and coconut.

A great Barossa Shiraz that I enjoy is TSCHARKE Barossa Gold 2011-
      -  $19.99 BC Liquor



Thanks for reading, Enjoy!