Bacchus
Syrah versus shiraz. The main point is, they’re the same thing. It’s either good branding or bad marketing that so many people think they’re two entirely different wines. But it’s the same grape - the differences are in the details.
Syrah came first, in the sense that those vines have been in production in France for hundreds of years, well before they were planted in Australia, where the wine is called Shiraz. But for extra giggles, the Australian term is more “correct”: Shiraz is the ancient Persian town where first mention of that specific vine is found.
Syrah is a nice wine that is often blended with just a touch of other grapes to make it ever more smooth and refined. Shiraz, on the other hand, is all one grape, a strong, bold flavor that doesn’t back down. Desciptors include meaty, leathery…even manly. Funny that the wines match the stereotypical personalities of their compatriots.
Most Syrahs grown in California are called that because they’re made in the French tradition. But as the wine world gets more inclusive and experimental, more California wines are labeled Shiraz - it doesn’t hurt that some Australian winemakers work in California know. It’s all a big mass of confusion, so just remember: refined and soft on the palate? Syrah. A big masculine wine that grabs hold and has its way with you? Shiraz.
And then there’s Petite Sirah. That’s a discussion for another day.
