The Syrah
Grape
A world-renowned red grape variety that originates from the Rhône Valley in France. Syrah is known for its full-bodied wines with a potent tannic structure and a flavor profile that includes blackberry, plum, pepper, and smoked meat. It is versatile, used to produce both varietal wines and blends, notably with Grenache and Mourvèdre in the Rhône, and has found significant success in regions around the world, including Australia (where it is known as Shiraz), the United States, and South Africa.
Syrah
Grape History
The Syrah grape, also known as Shiraz in some parts of the world, is a dark-skinned grape variety that has a rich and storied history dating back thousands of years. While its exact origins are still debated among experts, many believe that the Syrah grape first originated in the Rhône Valley of France. It is also believed that the grape may have been brought to France by the ancient Romans, who were known for their wine-making prowess.
The Syrah grape thrives in warm climates and is now grown in many wine regions around the world. Some of the most notable regions for Syrah cultivation include the Rhône Valley in France, as well as in Australia, South Africa, California, and Argentina. Each of these regions imparts its own unique characteristics to the Syrah grape, resulting in a diverse array of wines that showcase the grape's versatility.
Syrah is often used as a varietal wine, meaning it is made predominantly or entirely from the Syrah grape. However, it is also commonly blended with other grape varieties, such as Grenache and Mourvèdre in the Rhône Valley, to create classic blends like Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Côtes du Rhône. In Australia, Shiraz is the most widely planted red grape variety and is known for producing rich, full-bodied wines with bold flavors of dark fruit, spice, and pepper.
The future of the Syrah grape looks bright, as its popularity continues to grow around the world. In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in cool-climate Syrah wines, which have a more elegant and restrained style compared to their warmer climate counterparts. This trend towards more balanced and terroir-driven wines bodes well for the future of Syrah, as wine enthusiasts and producers alike seek out wines that express a sense of time and place.
Overall, the Syrah grape is a versatile and dynamic variety that has captured the hearts of wine lovers around the world. Whether enjoyed on its own or as part of a blend, Syrah wines offer a complex and rewarding drinking experience that is sure to continue to delight wine enthusiasts for years to come.
Introduction
Hello, my name is Franklin Laurel - Welcome!
I started drinking wine in 1992 when I was in my early twenties and recently married. Like many other young Southern Californians, it started out with White Zinfandel. As we were a couple of young DINKs just beginning life together, and on a budget, our go-to-wine was Sutter Home White Zinfandel, which tasted a lot like wine coolers and probably cost at the time $2.49. If we really were going to splurge, we would step it up and buy Beringer White Zinfandel for $2.99. Those were the days....
After a little time, we decided to get fancy. We stepped up our game and bought some wonderful 2-Buck Chuck from Trader Joe's. The Charles Shaw (Trader Joe's Exclusive Label) wine, also known as 2-Buck-Chuck extended our pallet into Reds for only $1.99 a bottle. Over the years we continued to grow in our understanding of wine (finally ran into some good wine) and we slowly kept buying better and better bottles.
Our first wine club purchase was from Kenwood's Vineyards, in Kenwood, California located in Sonoma Valley, right next to the famous Napa Valley. I began to learn about tobacco leather, and earthiness, and lots of other strange terminology when tasting their signature Zinfandels (of the red variety). So that is how it all began.
Fast forward a couple decades, and we have been members of five different wine clubs, and now have a passion for California's red wines. My favorite by far is Cabernet Sauvignon, while my wife fancies a good Syrah, Malbec, or Merlot - but she also loves the smell of a wine barrel room, which is all about the notes of Cabernet Sauvignon.
As I come across great wine resources and useful information that I find in planning my own wine trips, I will share here for anyone that might stumble across my humble website.
Cheers! - Franklin Laurel