Henry Jones Block G

Wine Varietal Information Sheet Syrah

Before going into details about my specific wine varietal, Id like to explain what that term means in general. A varietal, when describing a wine, indicates that the particular wine is produced from a single named grape variety, meaning it isnt blended with any other species of grapes or fruits. Commonly varietals will display that name singularly on the wine label, for example Merlot or Chardonnay, whereas blended wines will display multiple names, like Chardonnay-Viognier. The picture underneath describes such a label, and breaks it down into specifics.

Basic History

Through much research and DNA typing, viticulturists have determined that Syrah, or Shiraz, originated in Southeastern France in the Northern Rhone region. The Syrah varietal is the famous offspring of two rather uncommon grape varieties: Mondeuse Blanche (the mother) and Dureza (the father). Both of these wines have almost entirely disappeared from vineyards and are only preserved as specialties in some regions of Southern France, such as Montpellier and Savoy. Even though its dark-skinned father and white mother are rather obscure in the wine community, Syrah has made them proud by growing popular all over the world, traveling great distances from its humble origins of Southeastern France. From France it has grown especially popular in Australia where it is commonly known as Shiraz, rather than Syrah, and is considered the countrys national grape. Here, in the Barossa Valley of Australia, grow some of the oldest Shiraz vines in the world, some exceeding 130 years of age. Today the Syrah grape is not only abundant in Australia but in other warm climates around the globe, such as Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, and the United States, just to name a few. After many years of popularity growth, and strong planting, Syrah was estimated to be the worlds 7th most cultivated grape since 2004, spreading over 352,000 acres among vineyards across the world.

Grape Characteristics

Syrah is a very dark grape, nearly black, that provides a wide variety of dark-fruit flavors among the red-wine community; because of its diversity, it has become one of the worlds most successful grape species. In its younger stages the Syrah grape tends to have a rather floral aroma to it, but as it ages and grows it commonly develops scents that are more so comparable to herbs and pepper, like the smell of smoke or tanned leather. There is a wide variety of aromas accompanying this grape and its wines, from violet and dark berries to chocolate and espresso; there really is no one typical aroma due to the Syrah grapes vast variance. The flavors of the Syrah grape in most of its wines are dark, like the grapes color, producing essences of black currant and licorice; its wines are often fullbodied and very powerful in flavor. Syrah is highly popular and used often in blended wine varieties due to its rich color and high tannin properties. In the Rhone region of France it is not uncommon for the Syrah grape to be blended with other wine varietals such as Grenache, Mourvedre, or Carignan, along with many others; it is also here, in the Northern Rhone region, where you will find some of the worlds oldest and most popular of Syrahs earthy, red wines like Hermitage, Cote-Rotie, and Saint-Joseph. One of Syrahs most highly acclaimed characteristics is its ability to create wines that will age and improve over multiple decades; the most valued style being Hermitage which requires at least 10 years obtaining its plummy and spicy demeanor that many enjoy today as a delicacy.

Climate/Growing Conditions

Syrah is grown all over the world and is very adaptable to wherever it is cultivated. With this said, though, its optimal climate is in warmer regions, where the temperature is just right, not too hot and not too cold. It flourishes in regions such as Rhone in France, California, South Africa, and the Barossa Valley of Australia. Wine growers have experimented in cooler regions too, such as Washington State. The different climates do have a toll on the grapes flavor, for instance in the warmer regions the mellower, fruity flavors prevail, like cherry and raspberry, where the cooler regions produce fruit that have a spicier air about them, resembling black pepper and green olive. The Syrah grapes grow best in regions of warmth for they love heat, but they have a hard time surviving in scorching hot temperatures. They prefer soil that is rather rocky and well drained. These grapes bud late and ripen early and have a very strong resistance to rot and many diseases that affect other grape varieties. Growers who over crop or over water the fruit excessively can reduce the quality of their product drastically. During growth these grapes are very strong and energetic; they grow in bunches of at least 130 grapes on long, cluttered vines. Syrah wines, as Ive hinted at earlier, are most enjoyed after they have aged for quite a long period of time; on average Syrah red wines are bottled then stored for 15 years before being put on the shelves for sale. It is recommended that Syrah based wines are served at a temperature of 65F.

Winemaking Process & Practices

Syrah wines are most often blended, commonly with the following wine varieties: Viognier, producing a traditional style known as Cote-Rotie; Cabernet Sauvignon, originating in Australia and known as Shiraz-Cabernet; Grenache and Mourvedre, mixed with a minor amount of Syrah produces Chteauneuf-duPape, a style traditional to Southern Rhone. Used to also make sparkling red wines, like Rose. Syrah red wines have one of the highest serving temperatures of 18C and longest aging periods. Syrah wines are very rich, ripe, and sugary; In California viticulturists are pushing the limits of the grapes potential alcohol limit to an intense 16% alcohol by volume. These wines arent particularly popular for its balance is thrown off and have an almost jammy texture. Syrah grapes are becoming more and more popular in vineyards because they are hassle-free and extremely diverse. In Australia, more than 40% of red table wines are produced from Syrah grapes and in France its an extremely important contribution to blended wines, giving structure and color to Grenache and Mourvedre based wines.

Pairing Suggestions

Syrah is a fantastic wine to pair with foods, especially those of the backyard barbeque variety. Paired with grilled game and meats including steak, venison, sausage, boar, lamb, and even just a plain hamburger, the Syrah wines (especially the spicier varieties of Washington) accompany these meats beautifully. Some regions even have specific dishes that are recommended for Syrah pairing. They are as follows In Asia: steamed pork spare ribs with black bean and curried eggplant. In Australia: rosemary-crusted tenderloin of lamb with its natural juices, and also a duck confit with mashed sweet potatoes. In the Middle East/ Africa: spicy lamb meatballs in a cilantro, tomato sauce. And in Europe: a hearty duck confit stew with pork sausage (known traditionally as Cassoulet). This full-bodied red wine also goes great with a variety of cheeses such as Gouda, Roquefort, and Cheddar.

Fun Facts

The Syrah grape has a variety of different flavors depending on where its cultivated because it can absorb the characteristics of that soil and climate. For example, in Northern Rhone (Syrahs birthplace) the grapes breed a wine that is smoky and dense with a black pepper and berry flavor, but in the Barossa Valley of Australia the Syrah grapes (known locally as Shiraz grapes) produce thicker, riper, and rather minty flavors, sometimes even chocolaty. The Syrah grape cannot seem to stop growing in fame. Today in the United States the Syrah red varietal is growing faster in popularity than all others with its sales rising each year, having a greater percentage sales growth than both Zinfandel and Merlot. The first Californian Syrah vines were planted in the 1880s, but it wasnt until the mid-1970s that the modern Syrah vines bloomed. In the late 1980s there were only about 100 acres of planted Syrah vines in California. Today, only 20 or so years later, there are over 13,000 acres and this number is steadily growing not only in California, but in many other states throughout our country.

Citations

"Syrah." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 10 Nov. 2012. Web. 11 Oct. 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrah>. "Syrah Wine." Www.wine-searcher.com. Wine Searcher, n.d. Web. 11 Oct. 2012. "Sign up for the Daily Sip." Syrah Wine Varietal. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Oct. 2012. <http://www.bottlenotes.com/winecyclopedia/wine-guide-syrah>. "Some Information about the Syrah Grape." A Good Time With Wine. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Oct. 2012. <http://agoodtimewithwine.com/2010/03/30/some-information-about-the-syrah-grape/>. "What Is the Best Climate for Growing Shiraz / Syrah Grapes?" Www.findthedata.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Oct. 2012. <http://wine-grape.findthedata.org/q/27/1241/What-is-the-best-climate-for-growing-ShirazSyrah-grapes>. "Rhone Rangers - The 22 Rhone Ranger Grapes - Syrah (Shiraz)." Rhone Rangers - The 22 Rhone Ranger Grapes - Syrah (Shiraz). N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Oct. 2012. <http://www.rhonerangers.org/grapes/syrah.php>. "Growing-Grapes.org." Growing Grapes. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Oct. 2012. <http://www.growinggrapes.org/syrah-grape-growing-conditions/>. "Peay Vineyards: The Wine - Past Articles By Vanessa Wong." Peay Vineyards: The Wine - Past Articles By Vanessa Wong. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Oct. 2012. <http://www.peayvineyards.com/wine_article_art_syrah.shtml>.