Shiraz grapes have a characteristicly deep purple color that is reflected in their wine.

Shiraz or Syrah is a variety of grape used in wine. The names are interchangeable. It is called Syrah in France and most often in the United States, South Africa, Australia, and Canada it is known as Shiraz. In Australia it used to be called Hermitage up to the late 1980s. It should not be confused with Petite Sirah, a synonym for Durif, which is a different type of grape. It got its name from Shiraz--the city of flowers, wine and poetry in Persia/Iran--in the heart of an ancient winemaking region. Image File history File links Shiraz_Grapes. ... Image File history File links Shiraz_Grapes. ... Species Vitis acerifolia Vitis aestivalis Vitis amurensis Vitis arizonica Vitis x bourquina Vitis californica Vitis x champinii Vitis cinerea Vitis x doaniana Vitis girdiana Vitis labrusca Vitis x labruscana Vitis lincecumii Vitis monticola Vitis mustangensis Vitis x novae-angliae Vitis palmata Vitis riparia Vitis rotundifolia Vitis rupestris Vitis shuttleworthii Vitis... Wine is an alcoholic beverage produced by the fermentation of the juice of fruits, usually grapes, although a number of other fruits, such as plum, elderberry and blackcurrant, may also be fermented. ... Hermitage grape is the name given to one of a handful of different wine grape varieties in different wine growing regions of the world. ... Durif (or Dufiff) is a minor variety of red wine grape grown in France, California and Australia. ... Eram Garden, Shiraz most popular garden. ... For other uses of this term see: Persia (disambiguation) The Persian Empire is the name used to refer to a number of historic dynasties that have ruled the country of Persia (Iran). ...

Naming

Winemakers (or wine marketers) sometimes choose one name over the other to signify a stylistic difference in the wine they have made. "Syrah" labelled wines are sometimes thought to be more similar to Old World examples (presumably more elegant or restrained) such as Northern Rhône reds. "Shiraz" labelled wines are more similar to New World examples (presumably riper and fruitier), but even this rule of thumb is unevenly applied.^[1] The Rhône wine region is first divided into north and south. ...

Origin

The name of the grape Shiraz was taken from that of the city of Shiraz in Persia/Iran, where the process of wine making possibly originated 7000 years ago. The archaeological evidence unearthed at the site of Hajji Firuz Tape in northwestern Iran has suggested that the wine itself has originated in the provincial region of Azarbaijan. Eram Garden, Shiraz most popular garden. ... For other uses of this term see: Persia (disambiguation) The Persian Empire is the name used to refer to a number of historic dynasties that have ruled the country of Persia (Iran). ... Grow and harvest grapes. ...

Attempts have been made as of late to show that the grape itself originated in France, rather than in ancient Persia. Historic accounts state that the Syrah/Shiraz was brought into southern France by a returning crusader, Guy De'Sterimberg. He became a hermit and developed a vineyard on a steep hill where he lived in the Rhône River Valley. It became known as the Hermitage. In 1998, a study conducted at the University of California, Davis concluded that the grape variety in its modern cultivated form originated in the vicinity of the Rhône (wine region)|Northern Rhône valley of France, as the result of a cross of the "Dureza" and "Mondeuse Blanche" grape varieties;^[2] and in 2001, using DNA analysis, this was proven to be the case. For other uses of this term see: Persia (disambiguation) The Persian Empire is the name used to refer to a number of historic dynasties that have ruled the country of Persia (Iran). ... The University of California, Davis, commonly known as UC Davis, is a public, coeducational university located in Davis, California, which is about fifteen miles west of Sacramento in Californias Central Valley. ...

Syrah continues to be the main grape of the Northern Rhône and is associated with classic wines such as Hermitage, Cornas and Côte-Rôtie. In the Southern Rhône it is used as a blending grape in such wines as Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas and Côtes du Rhône. Although its best incarnations will age for decades, less-extracted styles may be enjoyed young for their lively red and blue berry characters and smooth tannin structure. Shiraz has been widely used as a blending grape in the red wines of many countries due to its fleshy fruit mid-palate, balancing the weaknesses of other varieties and resulting in a "complete" wine. Hermitage is an AOC for wine made near Lyon in France, in a fairly small area on a hill site near Tain lHermitage in the Rhône wine region Most wines produced are red, a powerful, spicy, long lived wine from the Syrah grape. ... Cornas is a wine-growing AOC in the northern Rhône wine region of France south of Lyon. ... Côte-Rôtie is a wine-growing AOC in the northern Rhône wine region of France. ... Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a town and commune in the Vaucluse département in Provence, in southern France. ... Gigondas is a wine-growing AOC in the southern Rhône wine region of France. ... Côtes du Rhône is a wine-growing AOC for the Rhône wine region of France, covering areas outside the other named appellations both in the north and south. ...

Durif

Durif, or Petite Sirah, is a descendent of the Shiraz grape. It was created by Dr Francois Durif, a cross breed between the little known and unremarkable french Peloursin and Syrah. Regions such as Rutherglen have achieved international regard for their Durif. This varietal is similar to Shiraz, but even more full bodied and tannic because of the smaller, thicker skinned grapes used. Durif (or Duriff) is a minor variety of red wine grape grown in France, California and Australia. ... Rutherglen is a small town in northeastern Victoria, Australia, near the Murray River border with New South Wales. ...

Wine

A glass of California Syrah.

Shiraz is a grape variety widely used to make a dry red table wine. Shiraz is often vinified on its own, but is also frequently blended with other grape varieties, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Grenache, Mourvèdre and Viognier. It is grown in many wine producing regions around the world. Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (768x1024, 140 KB)A photo of a class of California Syrah along with the bottle in the background Original photo at Emdots Flickr Page File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (768x1024, 140 KB)A photo of a class of California Syrah along with the bottle in the background Original photo at Emdots Flickr Page File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert... Species Vitis acerifolia Vitis aestivalis Vitis amurensis Vitis arizonica Vitis x bourquina Vitis californica Vitis x champinii Vitis cinerea Vitis x doaniana Vitis girdiana Vitis labrusca Vitis x labruscana Vitis lincecumii Vitis monticola Vitis mustangensis Vitis x novae-angliae Vitis palmata Vitis riparia Vitis rotundifolia Vitis rupestris Vitis shuttleworthii Vitis... Wine is an alcoholic beverage produced by the fermentation of the juice of fruits, usually grapes, although a number of other fruits, such as plum, elderberry and blackcurrant, may also be fermented. ... Cabernet Sauvignon is a variety of red grape mainly used for wine production, and is, along with Chardonnay, one of the most widely-planted of the worlds noble grape varieties. ... Merlot is a red wine grape that is used as both a blending grape and for varietal wines. ... Grenache is a sweet red grape variety grown primarily for the making of wine. ... Mourvèdre is a variety of wine grape grown around the world, and is Spains second-most important red wine grape after Garnacha, and was once Provences most popular grape. ... Voignier is a white wine grape. ... This list of wine-producing regions catalogues significant growing regions where vineyards are planted. ...

Recently, Australian Shiraz producers have started to add up to 4% Viognier to their Shiraz to add apricot tones to the wine's nose and palette. With such a small percentage added, the producer wasn't obliged to declare the blend on the label. In the past 5 years however, it's becoming increasingly fashionable to label the wine Shiraz Viognier as Viognier gains consumer acceptance in the market place. The practise of blending Viogner with Syrah is actually common for years in the Northern Rhône Valley region of France.^[3] Voignier is a white wine grape. ...

Many premium Shiraz-based wines are at their best after some considerable time aged in a cellar (10-15 years). In Australia, Shiraz is also used to make the unique "sparkling Shiraz", a deep-red sparkling wine which also ages well. There is also a small amount of rosé wine produced from the Syrah grape. Before the popularity of Australian Shiraz wine it was very often used to make port.^[4] A number of Australian winemakers also make a full-bodied sparkling dry shiraz, a red bubbly, that contains the complexity and sometimes earthy notes that are normally found in still wine.^[5] A glass of sparkling wine A Sparkling wine cork Sparkling wine is a wine with significant levels of carbon dioxide in it making it fizzy. ... Rosé is a type of wine that is neither purely red wine nor purely white wine. ...

Taste

Wines made from Shiraz are often quite powerfully flavoured and full-bodied. The variety produces wines with a wide range of flavor notes, depending on the climate and soils where it is grown, as well as other viticultural practices chosen. Aroma characters can range from violets to berries, chocolate, espresso and black pepper. No one aroma can be called "typical" though blackberry and pepper are often noticed. With time in the bottle these "primary" notes are moderated and then supplemented with earthy or savory "tertiary" notes such as leather and truffle. ("Secondary" flavor and aroma notes are those associated with winemakers' practices, such as oak barrel and yeast regimes, and are not typically associated with specific grape varieties.) wine grapes Viticulture (from the Latin word for vine) refers to the cultivation of grapes, often for use in the production of wine. ...

Australian Shiraz

The Shiraz grape was introduced into Australia in 1832 by James Busby, an immigrant who brought vine clippings from Europe with him.^[2] Today it is Australia's most popular red grape, but Shiraz has not always been in favor in Australia; in the 1970s white wine was so popular growers were ripping out unprofitable Shiraz and Grenache vineyards, even those with very old vines. Many factors, including the success of brands like Lindemans and Jacobs Creek in the UK, as well as Rosemount in the US, were responsible for plantings expanding dramatically through the 1980s and 1990s; a similar trajectory occurred in California. However, the biggest factor in this expansion during the 1990's was a federal government tax subsidy to those planting new vineyards. James Busby (February 7, 1801 - July 15, 1871) was an author of the Treaty of Waitangi and is widely regarded as the father of the Australian wine industry, as he took the first collection of vine stock from Spain and France to Australia. ... Old vine (French: vieilles vignes) is a term commonly used on wine labels to indicate that a wine is the produce of vines that are notably old. ...

South Australian regions tend to be the most highly regarded for Shiraz in Australia. Regions such as the Barossa Valley McLaren Vale and Clare have consistently produced some of the country's best Shiraz for several decades. These regions tend to produce very full bodied, high alcohol wines (between 13.5 and 16%). Emblems: Hairy Nosed Wombat (faunal); Leafy Seadragon (marine); Piping Shrike (bird: unofficial); Sturts Desert Pea (floral); Opal (gemstone) Motto: United for the Common Wealth Slogan or Nickname: Festival State Other Australian states and territories Capital Adelaide Government Const. ... Tanunda is surrounded by vineyards showing Autumn colour. ... McLaren Vale, approximately 35 km directly south of the Adelaide CBD ( 35°13′ S 138°32′ E), refers to the suburb of McLaren Vale (postcode 5171), the township of McLaren Vale (which has not been engulfed by urban sprawl due to the hilly terrain) and the wine region... Clare can refer to: Places County Clare, one of the 32 counties of Ireland. ...

Notable Victorian regions include Heathcote, roughly 2 hours north of Melbourne. Cooler climate regions such as Western Australia's Margaret River produce Shiraz with marginally less alcohol content and often in a more traditional French style. Margaret River is a river in far south-western Western Australia, 288 kilometres south-west of Perth, supporting a town of the same name. ...

French Syrah

Syrah, as it is known in France, is grown throughout the Rhône valley. The wines that are made from it vary greatly, even over small changes in the vines locations. The differences in the soil quality as well as the changes in the slope of the terrain lend to produce different styles of wine. Ranging from the mineral and tannic nature of Hermitage, to fruity and perfumed in the case of Côte-Rôtie. ^[1]

Syrah is also a key component to many blends. In the late 18th and early 19th centures it was sometimes added to certain Bordeaux to improve the wine. ^[6] It may be used to add structure and color to Grenache in southern Rhône blends, including Châteauneuf-du-Pape.^[7] Syrah is also the only red grape used in the wines of the northern Rhône.^[8] Some bottles of Grands Vins seen in a wine store in the city of Bordeaux Bordeaux wine, refers to all wine produced in the Bordeaux region of France. ... Grenache is a sweet red grape variety grown primarily for the making of wine. ... Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a town and commune in the Vaucluse département in Provence, in southern France. ...

American Syrah

In the United states, wine produced from the grape is normally called by its French name, Syrah. However, in cases where the winemaker chooses to follow a new world style, similar to Penfolds Grange, they may choose to label their wine as a Shiraz.^[9] Under American wine laws, either name may appear on the label. Syrah first appeared as a wine grape in California in the 1970s, where it was planted by a group of viticulturist who called themselves "Rhône rangers." ^[10] Although most plantings of the grape are in California, there are increasing amounts of it being grown in Washington state. Penfolds Grange (until the 1989 vintage labelled Penfolds Grange Hermitage) is a famous, prestigious and expensive Australian wine, made predominantly from the Shiraz grape and usually a small percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon. ...

California Syrahs, much like those in France, vary a great deal based the climate and terroir that they inhabit. In exceptionally warm regions, such as parts of Napa, the wine is often blended with other Rhône varieties. Other appelations, primarily mountainous ones, tend to produce varietal-based wines that can stand on their own. ^[11] Syrah was introduced into Washington state in 1985 by the Woodinville, Washington Columbia Winery. Expanding at a significant rate, it is used to produce single varietial wines as well as being blended with grapes such as Grenache, Cinsault, and Viognier.^[12] Terroir was originally a French term in wine and coffee appreciation used to denote the special characteristics of geography that bestowed individuality upon the food product. ... Woodinville is a city located in King County, Washington. ... Grenache is a sweet red grape variety grown primarily for the making of wine. ... Cinsaut or Cinsault is a red wine France. ... Voignier is a white wine grape. ...

Notes

1. ^ ^{a b} (2001) Oz Clarke's Encyclopedia of Grapes. Hardcourt,inc, pg 250. ISBN 0-15-100714-4.
2. ^ ^{a b} Oz Clark&Margaret Rand (2001). Oz Clarke's Encyclopedia of Grapes. Hardcourt,inc, pg 247. ISBN 0-15-100714-4.
3. ^ Jancis Robinson (2005-15-10). Viognier - it's everywhere nowadays.
4. ^ Karen MacNeil (2001). The Wine Bible. Workman Publishing Company, pg 786. ISBN 1-56305-434-1.
5. ^ Template error: argument title is required.
6. ^ (2001) Oz Clarke's Encyclopedia of Grapes. Hardcourt,inc, pg 247. ISBN 0-15-100714-4.
7. ^ Jancis Robinson (2003). Jancis Robinson's Wine Course. Abbeville Press, pg 152. ISBN 0-7892-0883-0.
8. ^ (2005) Jancis Robinson: Oxford Companion to Wine. Oxford University Press., pg 572. ISBN 978-0-19-860990-2.
9. ^ (2001) Oz Clarke's Encyclopedia of Grapes. Hardcourt,inc, pg 250. ISBN 0-15-100714-4.
10. ^ Jancis Robinson (2003). Jancis Robinson's Wine Course. Abbeville Press, pg 152. ISBN 0-7892-0883-0.
11. ^ (2001) Oz Clarke's Encyclopedia of Grapes. Hardcourt,inc, pgs 252-253. ISBN 0-15-100714-4.
12. ^ (2001) Oz Clarke's Encyclopedia of Grapes. Hardcourt,inc, pg 253. ISBN 0-15-100714-4.

External links

• Syrah Wine Grape History, Character and Growing Areas (USA)
• A Short history of Shiraz

• http://eatdrinkplayland.blogspot.com/2006/11/kao-hokkien-dialect-for-things-that-are.html

• Kao- Hokkien dialect for things that are full bodied , densed, thick and strong