When the Syrah (See-ra) grape was introduced from France into Australia in 1832, it flourished so quickly that it spread across the nation and established a home in virtually every wine region. In Australia it became known as Shiraz (Shih-RAHZ) and soon became the favorite grape. As much Shiraz is produced in the country today as every other red variety put together, and its diversity of style has greatly expanded.
Recent trends have been away from the ‘bigger is better’ wines, which pushed American oak and ripeness to the limit. Today’s wines lean towards more graceful styles, picked earlier and often French oaked. The wines reflect savory characters such as ripe fruit (think currants, raspberries and wild blackberries), violets, and sexier aromas of pepper, cinnamon, clove and chocolate among others.
Syrah or Shiraz, count me in.
That’s one purple grape! Makes me want a yummy glass of Australian Shiraz right now! Oh wait, it’s only 8:15am here. 🙁
Yes, but it’s 5 o’clock somewhere!!
Beautiful!!! Going to put sampling a Syrah/Shiraz on the list for the weekend.
Great idea, V, and we should drink your top two winners at our Beef Wellington dinner in June!!
Sounds like a plan!!!
Yum!! – Was going to see if you could find Merops Shiraz??? That is the Latin name for a bee eater! miss you