Grape · Red

Syrah

Also known as Shiraz in Australia/South Africa

Moderate climate

About

Single varietal in Rhône (Syrah) and Australia (Shiraz). Cool-climate versions are peppery and savoury; warm-climate versions are richer with jammy fruit.

Typical profile

Body

Rounded

Tannins

Firm

Acidity

Crisp

Sweetness

Dry

Aromas

What the grape gives up young, and what it grows into with time in bottle.

Young · fresh from the glass

blackberry black cherry black pepper olive

Aged · develops with bottle time

leather game smoke wet earth

Explore aromas

Oak influence

Common

Aging

Drinks well at 3-5 years; top Northern Rhône and cool-climate bottlings age 15-20.

Growing regions

How the grape expresses across places, grouped by country. Chips call out how a region's style deviates from the grape's default.

Argentina

San Juan

San Juan's signature red, plush and peppery from the warm Tulum Valley, taut and stony from limestone soils in Pedernal.

Australia

Barossa Valley

Fuller↑Softer↓Rounder↓

Old-vine Shiraz at its most opulent. Ripe blackberry, plum, mocha, and chocolate over a velvety, full-bodied palate, with black pepper for savoury lift.

Hunter Valley

Softer↓

Medium-bodied, savoury Australian Shiraz. Earth, leather, pepper, and red fruit over moderate weight, ageing 15-20 years into game and tobacco complexity.

McLaren Vale

Fuller↑

Maritime South Australian Shiraz, more elegant than the Barossa. Ripe blackberry, dark plum, and chocolate, with a savoury garrigue lift and finer tannin.

France

Languedoc-Roussillon

Leaner↓Softer↓

Adds structure and dark fruit to blends; increasingly impressive as a varietal in cooler sites like Pic Saint-Loup. Good-value Syrah, often blended. Ripe, fruity, approachable.

Provence

Adds color and spice to both rosé and red blends

Rhône Valley

Brighter↑

Northern Rhône Syrah on granite. Black pepper, smoked meat, violet, and olive, with savoury restraint built for ageing. Hermitage powers, Côte-Rôtie perfumes.

New Zealand

Hawke's Bay

The modern signature: black pepper, violet, and dark plum in a fragrant style nearer the Rhone than Australia, led by Te Mata and Trinity Hill.

South Africa

Coastal Region

Swartland and Stellenbosch Syrah leans savoury and silky. Old bush vines on granite and schist give black fruit, fynbos herbs, and fine tannin without Barossa weight.

Paarl

Warm granite slopes give generous, smoky Shiraz, from Fairview's pioneering bottlings to brooding Voor-Paardeberg versions.

Swartland

The modern Cape signature: peppery, savoury Syrah from granite and schist, led by Porseleinberg and Mullineux.

Spain

Costers del Segre

Cool-climate Syrah from Castell d'Encus's Thalarn and Torres's Purgatori sits between Northern Rhône lift and Mediterranean spice

Montsant

A modern addition, often blended with Garnacha and Cariñena to add spice and color

Switzerland

Valais

A growing presence on the warmer central Valais slopes; structured Northern-Rhône-leaning styles

United States

Columbia Valley

Bold and savory, with blackberry, smoke, and bacon fat. The Rocks District produces some of America's most distinctive Syrah.

Paso Robles

Fuller↑

Meaty, peppery, and dark-fruited, especially from the cooler western districts. Paso Robles is one of America's best Syrah sources.

South Coast

Warm-climate Syrah with ripe dark fruit, chocolate, and pepper. The marine influence preserves freshness.

Food pairings

braised lamb shanks with rosemary and garlicgrilled ribeye steak with black peppercorn saucewild mushroom and truffle risottobarbecued beef brisket with smoky dry rubroasted venison with juniper berry jusaged cheddar and charcuterie board with dark chocolate

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Syrah taste like?▼

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.

Where does Syrah grow best?▼

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.

What food pairs with Syrah?▼

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.

How does Syrah age?▼

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.

Is Syrah similar to Grenache?▼

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.