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