Syrah

Syrah offers flavors of blackberry, black cherry, and black pepper when young, with herbal notes. In cool climates it's more peppery and savory, while warm-climate versions are richer with jammy fruit character.

Syrah thrives in moderate climates and is most famous in France's Rhône Valley and Australia, where it's called Shiraz. The climate significantly influences its style, from peppery cool-climate versions to rich warm-climate expressions.

Syrah pairs excellently with grilled meats, game, and hearty stews thanks to its bold fruit and peppery character. The wine's savory qualities also complement herb-crusted dishes and barbecued foods beautifully.

Syrah ages gracefully, developing complex aromas of dried fruit, leather, meat, and earth over time. The wine's structure allows it to evolve from its youthful berry and pepper notes into more sophisticated, savory characteristics.

While both are Rhône red varieties, Syrah is quite different from Grenache. Syrah is more structured and peppery with darker fruit flavors, whereas Grenache tends to be softer with brighter red fruit characteristics.