What is a Syrah?

Syrah

(si-RAH)

Syrah is an ancient varietal proven by DNA analysis to be a native of the northern Rhone region of France. Prior to this evidence, its origin was disputed between the Rhone region and that around the Persian city of Shiraz – hence the two names for the grape. Sirah is also an accepted and approved alternate spelling. Syrah gives tannic and spicy red wines with significant longevity. Because of its weight, it contributes body and structure to blends with the softer, fruitier Grenache and Mourvèdre. In the southern Rhone, these varieties make up the core of Châteauneuf du Pape reds. Syrah not only needs hot climates but thrives in them - as its rapid propagation in California and Australia demonstrates. It is also widely grown in the southern portion of Oregon, Washington and South Africa. It was first planted in California in 1971 from cuttings from the Hermitage appellation in northern Rhone and Australian Shiraz cuttings (which are said by some to be of Hermitage origin themselves). There was a surge in planting of the variety seen in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Current reports indicate total California Syrah acreage to be approaching 20,000 acres - which makes up about four percent of California's vineyards.The thick-skinned, very darkly pigmented grapes give inky, deep colored wines described as violet or nearly black. Syrah is very tannic, rich, chewy and textured and is typified by high alcohol and a spice-over-fruit character. The latter tends to be more accentuated in cooler climates where the grapes develop a higher skin-to-pulp ratio. This can be nicely demonstrated by tasting Syrah's from growers spanning the north-south gamut of the Central Coast regions. Although expressivity may vary slightly between different clones, Syrah typically shows black (sometimes white) pepper, licorice, clove, thyme and bay leaf as part of its spice component. The dark fruit typically expressed are blueberries, black currants and blackberries. Syrah may also show cedar or sandalwood notes. As with just about all wines, bottle age brings out cedar, tobacco, earth and leathery notes.

Excerpts from www.redwinebuzz.com, www.wikipedia.com