Who hasn’t had a glass of [yellow tail] Shiraz (or some shameless replica?)
You probably have, and more than one at that. Personally speaking, in College I was responsible for metric tons of bottles disappearing off gas station shelves everywhere. We all loved this juicy, medium bodied crowd pleaser at parties, (one of the most popular wines in the world) – and for good reason. Although it’s relatively simple in flavor and lacks any real depth or elegance, it is always friendly, consistent and immediately approachable. And as most of us lack the resources to spend our hard earned dollars on expensive wines, this is very much a go to style for many who enjoy a glass or two of Syrah.
But… did you know that Syrah has a serious side as well? Rich, powerfully dense and tannic wines are hand crafted in small quantities in its spiritual (and physical) home in the Northern Rhone Valley. Places such as Hermitage, Cote-Rotie, Crozes-Hermitage and my personal favorite – Cornas – all make Syrah based wines that can astound the senses. In stark contrast to [yellow tail] these wines are often very ageable, and could require upwards of ten years to approach their drinking potential. Planted centuries ago (by the Romans,) these vineyards have ancient vines and are mostly farmed quite naturally.
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| Hermitage Vineyards, Northern Rhone Valley in France |
As some of you may know, when a grape vine ages it naturally restricts fruit production, concentrates flavor and leads to far more physiological complexity in the grapes. Phenolic compounds, antioxidants (like Resveratrol) and other substances are packed into the grapes by the low yield vines, brought up through the very long roots. The small amount of fruit produced here, and the fact that the Northern Rhone growing region is fairly small means only one thing – You’re going to spend when buying a wine from there. Don't worry – as with most things in life, you’ll get what you paid for.
The magical Syrah grape is the child of two rare, unknown grape varieties – Dureza and Mondeuse Blanche. However, while these grapes have never really received any acclaim on their own, their superstar offspring continues to make its name as one of the most important wine making grapes today. Due to the inherent resilience and versatility of Syrah, it continues to be planted, grown and produced widely throughout the world. With over 100,000 acres planted in Australia alone, it is responsible for the success of the Australian wine industry (where it’s referred to as Shiraz.) Legendary wines like Penfolds Grange, Henshke’s Hill of Grace, some of d’Arenberg and Rolf Binders top bottlings prove that Australian Shiraz is world class – and show us why it’s the most planted wine grape there.
South Africa, California and even Washington State are all planting more and more Syrah which proves one thing – The grape is here to stay, and its status as one of the most sought after red grapes in the world isn’t in any danger these days. Part of the appeal of this wine, is its amazing versatility for food pairing. Grilled, stewed, roasted or braised meats all tend to do well… One of my personal favorite food pairings with this versatile wine is Venison rack. The gamy, full flavored piece of meat responds very well to the smoky, spicy dark fruit characteristics of Syrah. Delicious.
So whether you’re opening a $5 bottle, or one you had to refinance the house for – Syrah is here to stay. Pour, sniff, sip and enjoy. After all, our stay here is finite.
Don't forget though – life’s far too short to drink bad wine.
A la votre!
