Variety
RedSyrah
Also known as: Shiraz
The Rhône grape on the rise with climate change – pepper, violets, dark berries, smoke. Serious in the Pfalz and Baden, opulent as Shiraz in Australia.
Portrait
Syrah, called Shiraz in Australia, originates in the Rhône Valley; DNA studies showed it to be a cross of Dureza and Mondeuse Blanche. In the northern Rhône it forms the basis of Côte-Rôtie, Hermitage and Cornas. In Australia it was introduced in the 19th century and shapes many top wines there.
The vine buds mid-season, ripens mid-season to late and likes warm, rocky slopes; it is vigorous and needs yield reduction. Plantings exist in Western Australia, Pfalz and Baden. Cool sites give pepper, dark berries and violet, warm sites more chocolate, plum and liquorice. The wines are deep in colour with firm tannin.
Syrah goes with lamb, game, grilled meat and strong cheeses and ages well.
Taste profile
Six axes — acidity, sweetness, body, tannin, aroma intensity and depth — on a 0–5 scale, based on typical style. Real wines vary by region and producer.
Typical aromas — Syrah
These 6 aromas typically define Syrah. Actual taste experience varies by region and style.
Black pepper
Violet
Blackberry
Smoke
Olive
Bacon
Syrah aroma families
These aroma categories are characteristic of Syrah. Other varieties have different focuses.
Fruit aromas are the most common and come directly from the grape, ranging from citrus through stone fruit to black berries.
Spicy aromas often emerge from oak aging (vanilla, clove) or with maturity (black pepper).
Wood and toast aromas emerge from aging in oak barriques or larger wooden barrels.
Tertiary aromas that develop with bottle aging – typical of mature top wines.
Key regions
Syrah is grown in the following regions of our atlas. Click to see wineries.
Wineries with Syrah
36 curated profiles in our atlas grow Syrah.
36 wineries
Weingut Metzger
Pfalz · Leiningerland (Nordpfalz) · Grünstadt-Asselheim
Riesling, Chardonnay, Spätburgunder
Weingut Knipser
Pfalz · Leiningerland (Nordpfalz) · Laumersheim
Riesling, Spätburgunder, Cabernet Sauvignon
Weingut von Winning
Pfalz · Mittelhaardt · Deidesheim
Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Weißburgunder
Weingut Rings
Pfalz · Leiningerland (Nordpfalz) · Freinsheim
Riesling, Spätburgunder, Cabernet Sauvignon
Xanadu Wines
Margaret River · Margaret River
Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc
Knipser's Halbstück (Weinstube/Restaurant des Weinguts Knipser)
Pfalz · Leiningerland (Nordpfalz) · Bissersheim
Riesling, Chardonnay, Grau-/Weiß-/Spätburgunder
Voyager Estate
Margaret River · Margaret River
Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc
Weingut Ziereisen
Baden · Markgräflerland · Efringen-Kirchen
Spätburgunder, Gutedel, Syrah
Weingut Fritz Waßmer
Baden · Markgräflerland · Bad Krozingen-Schlatt
Spätburgunder, Chardonnay, Weißburgunder