3.16 Syrah Flashcards
By what other name is Syrah known?
Shiraz
What’s the general profile of Syrah?
Moderate climate styles:
Fresh black fruit (cherry, blackberry)
Black pepper
Herbal aromas
Medium-high acid
Medium-high tannin
Medium alcohol/Medium body
Riper styles are full bodied with high alcohol and cooked black fruit and licorice flavors.
In what climate does Syrah thrive?
Moderate (i.e; Northern Rhone)
Warm (i.e; South Australia)
Why is Syrah/Shiraz often used as a blending grape?
Because it can add:
* Color
* Black fruit flavors
* Tannin
What are Syrah’s frequent blending partners?
Grenache
Mourvedre
+ other Southern Rhone varietals
Is Syrah generally oaked or on-oaked?
More commonly, it is oaked.
(It softens the tannins and adds layers of flavor: smoke and spices, while also increasing aging potential)
What tertiary aromas/flavors can Syrah develop?
- Leather
- Meat/bacon
- Earth
Which region in France is the “classic” region for Syrah?
Northern Rhone
What’s the only black grape allowed in the Northern Rhône?
Syrah
Name the most important Northern Rhone appellations for Syrah.
- Côte Rôtie AOC
- Hermitage AOC
- Crozes Hermitages AOC
Describe the slope/aspect of Côte Rôtie AOC and Hermitage AOC.
Steep slopes that require hand harvesting and individually staked vines.
What grape is traditionally co-fermented with Syrah in Côte Rôtie AOC
Viognier (it helps with color stabilization and adds floral aromas)
What is the climate of the Northern Rhône?
Moderate
Is machine harvesting possible in Crozes-Hermitage?
Yes. Crozes-Hermitage is flat and can be machine harvested, so prices will be lower than Côte Rôtie and Hermitage.
Remember that the best vineyards (Côte Rôtie and Hermitage) are on slopes, not flat land.
What appellation represents the northernmost point where Syrah can reliably ripen?
Côte Rôtie AOC