Shiraz (grape)

Shiraz
Grape (Vitis)
Shiraz in Viala & Vermorel
Colour of berry skin	Black
Also called	Hermitage, Antourenein noir, Candive, Entournerein, Hignin noir, Marsanne noir
Notable regions	Rhône, California AVAs, Texoma AVA, Texas High Plains AVA, Hunter Valley, McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley, Columbia Valley AVA
Notable wines	Côte-Rôtie, Hermitage
Ideal soil	Stony granite
Wine characteristics
General	High tannins, high acidity, blackberry, dark chocolate
Medium climate	Mint, eucalyptus, smoked meat, black pepper
Hot climate	Liquorice, cloves, espresso, mocha, dark chocolate
With age	Leather, wet leaves, earth

Syrah, also known as Shiraz, is a dark-skinned grape variety grown throughout the world and used primarily to produce red wine. In 1999, Syrah was found to be the offspring of two obscure grapes from southeastern France, Dureza and Mondeuse Blanche. Syrah should not be confused with Petite Sirah; a cross of Syrah with Peloursin dating from 1880.

The style and flavor profile of wines made from Syrah is influenced by the climate where the grapes are grown with moderate climates (such as the northern Rhone Valley and parts of the Walla Walla AVA in Washington State). This tends to produce medium to full-bodied wines with medium-plus to high levels of tannins and notes of blackberry, mint and black pepper. In hot climates (such as Crete, and the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale regions of Australia), Syrah is more consistently full-bodied with softer tannin, jammier fruit and spice notes of licorice, anise and earthy leather. In many regions the acidity and tannin levels of Syrah allow the wines produced to have favorable aging potential.

Syrah is used as a single varietal or as a blend. Following several years of strong planting, Syrah was estimated in 2004 to be the world's 7th most grown grape at 142,600 hectares (352,000 acres). It can be found throughout the globe from France to New World wine regions such as: Chile, South Africa, the Hawke's Bay, Waiheke, New Zealand, California and Washington. It can also be found in several Australian wine regions such as: Barossa, Coonawarra, Hunter Valley, Margaret River and McLaren Vale.