Syrah

Syrah – the noble grape variety that has conquered the world

Whether you know it as Syrah or as Shiraz – behind both names hides the same fascinating grape variety, which counts among the most significant red grapes of the world. With a worldwide cultivation area of around 185,000 hectares and growth that has increased fivefold since 1990, Syrah belongs to the most strongly expanding grape varieties at all. At Vinoscout, you will find over 106 wines of this variety – from accessible everyday wines starting at 6.49 Euro to real collector's items for up to 450 Euro.

Origin and cultivation: A grape that the world loves

The home of Syrah lies in the French Rhône Valley, where it has thrived for centuries on granite and slate soils. Genetically, it is a cross of the old French varieties Dureza and Mondeuse Blanche – a heritage that gives it this unmistakable depth and complexity.

Syrah is a late ripener and reacts sensitively to wetness and cold. It prefers a hot, dry climate and medium-heavy soils with sufficient moisture – it is better to leave fertile soils to it, as it grows too lushly there and loses character. These demands explain why it delivers excellent results in such different regions:

• France (Rhône Valley): The classic home territory – here the ur-types of the variety are created, from Côte-Rôtie to Crozes-Hermitage
• Australia: Above all McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley, and Clare Valley – here the Shiraz style reigns
• South Africa: Stellenbosch and Paarl bring forth powerful, fruit-emphasized interpretations
• Argentina, Chile, USA: Further important cultivation countries with growing quality
• Spain and Italy: Syrah is increasingly found also in Catalonia and Tuscany as an exciting supplement to local varieties

Syrah vs. Shiraz: Same grape, two worlds

This difference is not a marketing question, but a real stylistic fork in the road – and it is worth knowing if you want to order Syrah online.

Syrah – the European style

In the Rhône Valley and generally in France, the grape is called Syrah – and the wine bears this name rightly as a style feature. Here, elegant, spicy wines are created with fine tannins, a cool minerality, and aromas of black pepper, violets, and dark berries. The wines are structured, often age-worthy, and show an impressive complexity over the years.

Shiraz – the Australian style

In Australia, the same grape is called Shiraz – and the style is a different one: fuller, softer, fruit-emphasized. Ripe blackberries, chocolate, vanilla, and a velvety-round body shape the image. Especially McLaren Vale brings forth some of the most excellent quality Shiraz wines of the world. A perfect example from our assortment is the Glaetzer Amon-Ra (69.95 Euro) – a concentrated, deep Shiraz from McLaren Vale that sets standards. More accessible and ideal for getting started is the Koonunga Hill Shiraz from Penfolds (11.90 Euro) from the same growing region.

Taste profile: What makes Syrah so special?

Syrah wines are immediately recognizable by their deep-dark, almost black-violet color. In the glass, they unfold a multi-layered aroma image:

• Fruit: Black currant, blackberry, blueberry, dark forest fruits
• Spice: Black pepper, licorice, cinnamon – particularly pronounced in the Rhône style
• Terroir notes: Undergrowth, leather, tobacco, smoke, olive paste
• Aging: Vanilla, chocolate, roasted aromas with barrique aging

Taste-wise, the wines are powerful, tannin-rich, and alcohol-emphasized – but at the same time with an elegance that distinguishes good Syrahs from merely heavy wines. Syrah is vinified both varietally and in a blend, classically together with Cabernet Sauvignon.

Food recommendations: Syrah at the table

The power and spice of Syrah demand dishes that can keep up:

• Grilled and braised meat: Lamb shank, beef pot roast, game ragout – a classic
• Spicy cuisine: North African tagines, harissa dishes, hearty stews
• Aged cheese: Aged Manchego, Pecorino, strong mountain cheese
• BBQ: Especially Australian Shiraz is the born grill companion

Buy Syrah at Vinoscout: Our recommendations

Our assortment covers the entire range of the variety. For the uncomplicated entry, the Paul Mas Syrah Rosé (6.49 Euro) from the Languedoc or the Short Street Shiraz non-alcoholic from Riebeek Valley Wine Co. (5.95 Euro) from the South African Western Cape are recommended. Those looking for a South African red wine with a Syrah share are right with the Kaapzicht Bottelary Hills Estate Blend (12.95 Euro) from Stellenbosch or the Laborie Impossible Red (8.40 Euro) from Paarl. For special occasions, the Glaetzer Amon-Ra from McLaren Vale is a recommendation that you will not forget.

Discover all Syrah wines at Vinoscout now – from classic Rhône style to Australian Shiraz, from dry to rosé, from non-alcoholic to rarity.