Syrah / Shiraz

Syrah is one of the world’s great red wine grapes, celebrated for its combination of dark fruit, savoury complexity, peppery spice and structured elegance. Most famously associated with France’s Northern Rhône, Syrah is capable of producing intensely expressive and remarkably long-lived wines while developing distinctive styles across wine regions around the world.

In the Northern Rhône, Syrah reaches some of its most celebrated expressions in Hermitage, Côte-Rôtie, Cornas and Saint-Joseph. The region’s steep slopes, varied granite-based soils and continental climate create wines combining concentration with freshness and aromatic precision. Classic expressions can show blackberry, blackcurrant, violet, black pepper and olive, alongside smoked meat, herbs, earth and spice as the wines mature.

Syrah naturally combines deep colour and considerable flavour concentration with firm tannins and refreshing acidity. Vineyard site, climate and winemaking have a profound influence on its character. Cooler sites tend to emphasise floral aromas, pepper and savoury complexity, while warmer climates can produce richer wines with ripe blackberry, plum, liquorice and dark spice.

Outside France, the grape has achieved particular prominence in Australia, where it is generally known as Shiraz. Regions including the Barossa Valley have developed powerful and internationally recognised expressions, while cooler Australian regions can produce more restrained styles. Syrah is also important in California, South Africa, Chile and other premium wine regions.

Whether expressed through the mineral, savoury wines of the Northern Rhône or the richer styles found elsewhere, Syrah’s combination of power, aromatic complexity, structure and ageing potential has established it as one of the defining varieties of fine red wine.