3.7 | Principal Black Grape Varieties - Syrah/Shiraz

Question 1

Characteristics of Syrah?

Answer 1

moderate to warm climate
thick skinned, small grape
grows in two different styles depending on climate

Question 2

What characterizes Syrah grown in a moderate climate (i.e. Northern Rhone Syrah)?

Answer 2

medium-bodied
fresh black-fruit (black cherry, blackberry)
herbal notes
black pepper aromas

Question 3

What characterizes Syrah grown in a warm climate (i.e. Australian Shiraz)?

Answer 3

full-bodied
high alcohol
ripe, cooked black fruit
licorice

Question 4

what variety is blended with Syrah to make most Rhone blends?

Answer 4

Grenache (and other varieties local to Southern Rhone)

Question 5

how is Syrah matured and what secondary and tertiary aromas does it develop?

Answer 5

oak maturation is common. Adds smoke/spice and softens tannins
The finest Syrah can age for 10+ yrs, develops dried fruit, leather, meat, earth aromas in bottle.

Question 6

Important regions for Syrah/Shiraz

Answer 6

France: Northern Rhône, south of France

Australia: South-eastern Australia, Barossa Valley, Hunter Valley

Question 7

What is the only black grape allowed in Northern Rhone AOC wines?

Answer 7

Syrah

Question 8

Why is Northern Rhone Syrah expensive to produce?

Answer 8

the best vineyards are on steep slopes. The slopes are so steep that machinery cannot be used. Work has to be done by hand.

Question 9

What characterizes Syrah from the Cote Rotie AoC in Northern Rhone?

Answer 9

the slopes are extremely steep and stony. Syrah here is complex, peppery with long ageing potential.
there is a tradition to co-ferment Syrah and Viognier to add floral aromas.

Question 10

which high-quality Northern Rhone appellation is one steep south-facing hill?

Answer 10

Hermitage AOC

Question 11

Why is Crozes-Hermitage less intense/complex than Cote Rotie and Hermitage?

Answer 11

its yields and higher. It is also cheaper because the vineyards are mechanized.

Question 12

Syrah ripens reliably in the South of France. Where is Syrah seen as a blended or single-varietal wine?

Answer 12

blended into appellation wines like Minervois AOC

single-varietal wine under Pays d’Oc IGP

Question 13

Where is the largest planting of Syrah outside France?

Answer 13

Australia

Question 14

What label would you find on a wine that uses fruit from warm, inland area used by high-volume brands ?

Answer 14

South Eastern Australia

Question 15

where are some of the world’s oldest Shiraz vines?

Answer 15

Barossa Valley (South Australia)

Question 16

What are the palate characteristics and primary, secondary and tertiary aromas of Barrossa Valley Shiraz?

Answer 16

full-bodied, high ripe tannins, cooked black-fruit (blackberry, black cherry), black pepper, spicy flavors from oak (vanilla, coffee)

Question 17

What are the prominent climactic influences in Hunter Valley in Australia?

Answer 17

warm climate. but moderated by high cloud cover and sea breezes, which slow ripening in summer. (resulting wine is mediu bodied, medium to high tannins. Fresh black fruit flavors. earth and meat can evolve with bottle age.