Today on talkTV, we shine a light on the difference between Syrah and Shiraz. Did you know that it was the same grape, just with different personalities depending on style desired and location?
Syrah: The original home of Syrah is the Rhône Valley in France, where certain villages in the Northern Rhône particularly, famously make stunning wines only with the Syrah grape. Heard of Saint-Joseph? How about Hermitage? Crozes-Hermitage or Cornas, even? These French appellations will give you the very best examples of Syrah in their natural habitat with savoury notes of grilled meat, black olive, damson fruit, violet and garrigue-scented goodness.
Shiraz: Syrah was taken over to the New World by immigrants where it started to develop a slightly different personality - so different in fact, that this New World style was given a new name. Shiraz still showcases that famous dark fruit and silky tannins but in this guise, it’s more fruit-forward rather than savoury, more jammy and spicy, with a slick of licorice and black pepper.
Something in between: A particularly interesting style of Syrah is when you find it in the New World, where the old world flavours of grilled meat, rosemary, thyme, pepper and damson are coaxed out, but there’s an extra dollop of ripe, New World fruit and incredible, violet perfume. This is a glorious style to look out for.
Syrah
Côtes Du Rhône, La Grande St Martin Reserve
Some Côtes Du Rhône wines such as this will be Syrah dominant in their blends as it gives such great character. This little CDR has a dollop of Grenache in it too but still shows that classic, Rhone Valley Syrah style - and is great value to boot. Made by the famous Perrin family from Chateau Beaucastel too so it has a good pedigree!
Find it on offer at The Co op for £7.50 in store. Usually
Shiraz
Most Wanted Collective Australian Shiraz
Shiraz is arguably Australia's flagship red grape where the style has become bolder, more fruit forward, spicy and jammy. This Most Wanted version hails from South-Eastern Australia and is very soft and easy drinking. This label was also part of their Collective range created to celebrate diversity, where MW got together a group of artists to express themselves freely using wine labels as a canvas. This label is Most Wanted x Dorcas Creates and was designed by illustrator Dorcas Magbadelo who produces stunning art and greeting cards celebrating black women.
Find it at various supermarkets as well as VIPBottles on offer for £5.99
New World Style, Old World Soul!
Neil Ellis, Groenekloof Syrah
This wine is that in-between style showcasing a velvety, medium-bodied wine style that really is a great mix of both worlds. Velvety and smooth, this is a wonderful wine for roast lamb or grilled veggies.
Find it at Ocado and for £16
See what else we’ve been tasting on talkTV here!thethreedrinkers.com/talk-tv