Syrah / Shiraz Regions
Syrah in France
High Quality areas / regions:
Côtes du Rhône
Hermitage (Côtes du Rhône north).
Crozes Hermitage (Côtes du Rhône north).
The best French Syrah is located north in the French Rhône valley in areas such as Hermitage, Crozes Hermitage and Côtes du Rhône.
Crozes Hermitage is often the lightest and juiciest, and can be drunk young, but Hermitage and Côtes du Rhône are more powerful storage wines.
In the Northern Rhône, where the cold Mistral winds blow down from the Massif Central there are 5 Syrah appellations:
| Appelation | Grapes |
|---|---|
| Côte-Rôtie AOC | A blend of Syrah and up to 20% Viognier |
| Saint-Joseph AOC | Syrah and up to 10% Marsanne and Roussanne |
| Crozes-Hermitage AOC | Syrah and up to 15% Marsanne and Roussanne |
| Hermitage AOC | Syrah and up to 15% Marsanne and Roussanne |
| Cornas AOC | 100% Syrah |
In the Southern Rhône, Syrah is blended in GSM wines (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre) to produce famous blends such as Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas and Côtes du Rhône.
In the Southern Rhône, Syrah it is blended in GSM wines (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre) to produce famous blends such as Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas and Côtes du Rhône.
Shiraz in Australia
High Quality areas / regions:
Barossa (South Australia
Yarra Valley (Victoria)
Austalian Syrah, or Shiraz as it is called "down under", can appear as anything from juicy, berry-tasting, soft wines, to powerful, tough and tannin-rich editions. Common to all of them is a lot of taste.
The best ones develop sweet, rich fruits, as well as aromas characterized by smoke, spices, leather and soil as they mature.
Australia is known for producing jammy, heavy Shiraz, but lately we have seen a cool climate evolution, with producers moving towards lighter, more elegant and food friendly wines.
Cool climate Shiraz is now the new trend in Australia.
Syrah in USA
In the USA, most Syrah is planted in California, but is gaining poularity in Washington state (Yakima Valley), and southern Oregon.
In the 1970s, Syrah began to grow in popularity in California, thanks to a group of winemakers known as the "Rhône Rangers". Today, Syrah is the most planted Rhône grape in California.
The poularity of Syrah is also growing in the Washington State (Yakima Valley), and in southern Oregon.