A RED GRAPE · NORTHERN RHÔNE
Syrah
Peppery, dark fruit, smoke.
What Syrah tastes like
Syrah is a red grape. In the glass it reads as peppery, dark fruit and smoke. Syrah is rich and full-bodied, with firm tannin and fresh acidity, finishing dry. A little oak is common. Its home turf, as we hold it, is Northern Rhône, Barossa.
Where Syrah grows
Our appellations table names Syrah in 139 wine regions. The ones with the most wines in our database are Châteauneuf-du-Pape (France), Côte-Rôtie (France), Cornas (France), Hermitage (France), Saint-Joseph (France), Crozes-Hermitage (France), Côtes du Rhône (France), Sta. Rita Hills (USA), Paso Robles (USA), Côtes de Provence (France), Columbia Valley (USA) and Gigondas (France).
Syrah is grown well beyond that list: 127 more appellations name it as a main grape, which is part of why one bottle can taste so different from the next.
How the place changes the glass
- Châteauneuf-du-Pape (France): Full-bodied, ripe red blends with garrigue spice, supple tannin and alcoholic warmth; whites are rich and aromatic, a small share of production. Climate: hot Mediterranean, with the Mistral wind and strong sunshine.
- Côte-Rôtie (France): Elegant, peppery Syrah with floral notes, often benefiting from white grape co-fermentation. Climate: warm continental with Mediterranean influence.
- Cornas (France): Dense, peppery Syrah with dark fruit, mineral edge, and firm tannins; often more rustic than Hermitage. Climate: continental with warm, dry summers.
- Hermitage (France): Powerful, age-worthy red Syrah with dark fruit, peppery spice, and mineral tension; elegant, sometimes floral whites. Climate: continental with warm, dry summers and cold, occasionally snowy winters.
What to eat with Syrah
The classic partners are short rib, game and barbecue. Its tannin wants fat and protein on the plate, so rich meats and aged cheeses suit it.
Syrah on menus we hold
- Lamb with peas at Restaurant de l'Hôtel de Ville: paired with Syrah Dark Blossom Sine Qua Non (2011). Dark berries crushed underfoot on a mountain trail.
Syrah in our cellar
The appellations above account for about 10,707 Syrah wines in the Sommurai database, which is how we know which regions pour it most.
Grapes to try next
If you like Syrah, these red grapes are worth a glass: Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Grenache, Cabernet Franc and Tempranillo.
Quick answers
What does Syrah taste like?
Syrah reads as peppery, dark fruit and smoke. Syrah is rich and full-bodied, with firm tannin and fresh acidity, finishing dry. A little oak is common.
What food goes with Syrah?
short rib, game and barbecue.
Where is Syrah grown?
Our appellations table names Syrah in 139 wine regions, including Châteauneuf-du-Pape (France), Côte-Rôtie (France), Cornas (France), Hermitage (France) and Saint-Joseph (France).
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