Chapter 16 - Syrah/Shiraz

Question 1

What climate does Syrah require?

Answer 1

moderate/warm

Question 2

Describe a moderate climate Syrah

Answer 2

medium body
fresh black fruit, herbal notes, black pepper aroma
(signature style of N.Rhone)

Question 3

Describe a warm climate Syrah

Answer 3

typically full bodied, high alcohol
cooked black fruits and liquorice
(common in warmer parts of australia)

Question 4

What does the differentiation of the names Syrah or Shiraz tell the consumer about the wine?

Answer 4

Syrah is generally made in a moderate climate, resembling Rhone styles
Shiraz would often be a riper, warmer climate style

Question 5

Is Syrah only made as a single var. wine?

Answer 5

Can result in high quality single var. wines, but is also blended to add color/black fruit flavors and tannins.
Often blended with S.Rhone grapes (Grenache) in “Rhone Blends”

Question 6

What winemaking and maturation options are utilized with Syrah?

Answer 6

Oak is common. Softens tannin and adds smoke/spice.
Vgood or outstanding are suitable for bottle aging. Finest can age for decade+
Dried fruit/leather/meat/earth

Question 7

What countries are notably producing Syrah?

Answer 7

France - Australia

Question 8

What French regions are notable for Syrah?

Answer 8

N.Rhone - where Syrah is the only black grape permitted
Within N.Rhone - Cote Rotie AOC
Hermitage AOC is one huge s.facing hill surrounded by
Crozes-Hermitage which is flatter
South of France - warm, easy ripening, sometimes blended into Minervois AOC or single var. under Pays d’Oc IGP

Question 9

Describe the differences between the French regions and their Syrah

Answer 9

N.Rhone is moderate climate aided by river-reflection and steep vineyards (expensive, hand worked)
Cote Rotie - Northern limit of Syrah. steep/stony. peppery complex syrah. Sometimes small amt of viognier cofermented.
Hermitage - single hill
Crozes-Hermitage - lower cost, less intense/complex, due to flatter vineyards

Question 10

What Australian regions are notable for Shiraz?

Answer 10

South Eastern Aus - Barossa Valley - Hunter Valley

Question 11

Describe Australian Shiraz and the growing regions

Answer 11

Most widely planted grape in Aus.
South Eastern Aus - inland, warm, high volume, cheap

Barossa Valley - some of worlds oldest Shiraz vines. Low yeilds, concentrated. Full body, high ripe tannin, cooked black fruit, pepper, spicy oak (vanilla, coffee)

Hunter Valley - also warm but clouds/sea breezes in summer slow ripening.
med-body, med-high tannin. fresh black fruit. earth/meat w/ age.