SYRAH (SHIRAZ)

     A RICH, POWERFUL, AND SOMETIMES MEATY RED WINE THAT ORGINATED IN THE RHONE VALLEY OF FRANCE.  SYRAH IS THE MOST PLANTED GRAPE OF AUSTRALIA WHERE THEY CALL IT SHIRAZ.

     SYRAH IS A FAMOUS WINE THAT HAS A WIDE RANGE OF TASTES DEPENDING ON WHERE IT GROWS. FOR EXAMPLE, IN FRANCE, SYRAH HAS OLIVE-LIKE FLAVORS AND IN AUSTRALIA (CALLED SHIRAZ SINCE THE 1980’S), YOU’LL TASTE BLACKBERRY AND SWEET TOBACCO.

     LIKE MANY WORLD-POPULAR GRAPES, SYRAH CAN DIFFER IN STYLE DEPENDING ON THE CLIMATE, REGION AND WINEMAKING TECHNIQUES. TYPICAL AROMAS AND FLAVORS FROM MOST SYRAH-BASED WINES INCLUDE PEPPER, BLACKBERRY AND LEATHER OR SMOKE. AUSTRALIAN SHIRAZ AND CENTRAL OR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SYRAH TEND TO BE MORE DENSE IN FRUIT FLAVOR, SOME EVEN JAMMY – WARMER CLIMATES LEAD TO RIPER FRUIT FLAVORS. NORTHERN RHÔNE STYLE TYPICALLY SHOWS MORE PEPPER AND LEATHER NOTES, WITH LESS UPFRONT FRUIT. WASHINGTON STATE, SOUTH AFRICA AND SOUTH AMERICA DIFFER IN STYLE BUT USUALLY SHOW THE RANGE OF SYRAH FLAVORS.

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RED MEAT

BBQ, SPARE RIBS, BRAISED BEEF, HAMBURGERS, LAMB, PORK, BACON, STEAKS, VEAL, VENISON, BISON

POULTRY

CHICKEN, TURKEY, DUCK, GAME BIRDS

SEAFOOD

ANCHOVIES, LOBSTER, AHI TUNA, SALMON, OCTOPUS

CHEESE

GOUDA, SHARP CHEDDAR, ROQUEFORT, BLUE VEINED CHEESES

HERBS/SPICES

BLACK PEPPER, RED PEPPER, MINT, DILL, PAPRIKA, CLOVES, LEMON, CAYENNE, TARRAGON,

OREGANO, SAGE, GARLIC

VEGETABLES

MUSHROOMS, PEPPERS, TOMATOES, ONIONS, SEITAN, CUCUMBERS, OLIVES, CABBAGE,​ CARROTS, SPINNACH

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NEED SOME IDEAS?

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    AS A GENERAL RULE SYRAH ( SHIRAZ ) PAIRS VERY WELL WITH GRILLED MEATS, VEGETABLES, WILD GAME AND BEEF STEW. BARBECUE, ESPECIALLY.  SO BRING OUT THAT GRILL!  ALSO THINK ABOUT DISHES SUCH AS TAILGATE CHILI, LEG OF LAMB SHAWARMA, OR PULLED PORK.