| There are a few varieties of wine that taste | | | | grounded mainly in the Barossa Valley of Australia. |
| almost identical, yet have different names. Pinot | | | | The Australian Shiraz is from what's thought to |
| Gris and Pinot Grigio, Sparkling Wine and | | | | be from the greatest plantings of Shiraz in the |
| Champagne and the newly popular Shiraz and | | | | world is found. |
| Syrah are a few of these mystery names of | | | | In the old vines Shiraz from Australia the grapes |
| wine. So what's the difference between a Shiraz | | | | are riper, fuller and there is a rich, mouth-filling |
| and a Syrah? Like most differences in wine | | | | chocolaty character with a spicy element. The |
| names, the answer is Location Location Location. | | | | Shiraz wines are intense but more succulent and |
| Shiraz and Syrah are the same grape, but from | | | | have a better longevity than it's counterparts. |
| different locations in the world. The name Shiraz is | | | | Shiraz's made in the southern part of Australia are |
| only used for the Syrah grapes grown in Australia. | | | | known for their peppery taste, rarely found in |
| Every other Syrah is known as Syrah. (The | | | | any other wines. |
| Californians have adopted the Shiraz name for | | | | Syrah/Shiraz doesn't only make expensive, top of |
| marketing purposes, but it is widely known that | | | | the line wines. In Australia where it has regained |
| real Shiraz comes from the Aussies.) | | | | its position as the most planted red grape, it is |
| Producers throughout the New World and | | | | responsible for masses of everyday, smooth, |
| Mediterranean Europe are planting new vineyards | | | | spicy, blackberry flavored reds. It is also blended |
| and nurturing old ones that have been forgotten | | | | very successfully with cabernet sauvignon at all |
| in the past years while merlot and cabernets have | | | | quality levels and is made into a delicious, full |
| been the wine of choice. What's sparked this | | | | bodied, ripe, spicy red wine. |
| revitalization of grapes like shiraz/syrah? People | | | | So whether you're drinking a Syrah or Shiraz, get |
| are looking full-bodied, spicy wines and there is no | | | | ready for a bold, spicy, big red that is perfect on |
| better varietals than shiraz/syrah. | | | | its own, or paired with aggressively prepared |
| Syrah's home is in the Rhone Valley in France | | | | foods. Look for Syrahs from South Africa, Chile |
| where the berry fruit is dense, inky and more | | | | and Argentina in the coming years, there have |
| herbal, the acidity is higher and the aroma hints of | | | | been successful plantings in the past years and |
| fresh ground pepper. Syrah can gain complex | | | | with the complexity of today's Syrah's these will |
| leathery gamey flavors as it matures. Shiraz is | | | | be just as great. |