This is going to be a post about love. Since we are almost approaching the time for love, I'm going to make a love proclamation. I love Syrah.
Why would I want to proclaim my love for a grape? Well by the time you finish this, maybe you will fall head over heels for Syrah as well.
First things first, Syrah is Shiraz and vice versa. Most of the time, if you’re drinking Shiraz it’s from the new world and if it’s Syrah it’s usually from the old world.
So here are a few facts about Syrah if you are not familiar.
Grown in the Cote du Rhone, you can also find it Australia, Spain, Argentina, US, South Africa and Chile. It is the main shareholder in the blends from the Rhone Valley and it also featured in wines that are made from 100% of the varietal.
Syrah is one of the most full bodied grapes in the world. Think of Pinot Noir and then go to the other side of the football field. That’s where you are when it comes to the fullness spectrum. The flavour is wonderful and usually bold. It’s a wine to split with friends or have bottles of by yourself. Black fruits and plum swirl around in your mouth while you feel the alcohol and tannin. Sometimes Syrah is so rich it almost tastes like ruby port.
When drinking Syrah from the new world you will get more of the fruit and spice. If you are having a wine from the old world, you will get more herbaceousness and acidity. The climate in parts of the new world is hot, so it would make sense to have more full fruit character
The price of Syrah can range greatly. Cote du Rhone wines can be much more affordable then wines from Hermitage. I currently live in BC where they are making some nice Syrah for a good price.
When looking for foods that would complement a nice Syrah, think of big flavours and something that would have some weight. That means no light little fish or delicate crepes with these wines. Syrah is a wine meant to enjoy with a nice piece of ribeye or braised short rib
Now picture yourself in an aisle full of wine…so what will you choose? Could it be a nice Syrah from the Rhone Valley? That might be a good choice, just saying.
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