Syrah
Because of its pretty name, it was long believed to be Persian, Syrian or born in Syracuse. Recent analyzes have revealed that our beloved Syrah had in fact taken root in Savoie and Ardèche. A low-yielding, rare and precious grape variety, it is only grown in suitable and privileged areas. A southern variety, it has a spicy character and delicious notes of violet that it knows how to express in Rhône wines, which are as fine as they are complex.
Syrah is one of the most emblematic red grape varieties of the northern part of the Côtes du Rhône. Due to its rarity, it is only used to produce certain great wines. However, it is cultivated all over the world and flourishes on more than 140,000 ha around the world, from Argentina, South Africa, California to Chile, and from New Zealand to Mexico. In Australia it is famous as Shiraz.
Contents
Informations
Location within the Rhône Valley: All of the Rhône Valley - Single black grape variety for the red wines of the Northern Crus
Plantings within the Rhône Valley AOCs: About 23 000 hectares
In the vineyards
Ampelography: Syrah produces pretty branches, fragile and cottony when young, and young green leaves. Adult, its leaf has five lobes.
Bunch and berries: Its clusters, with a distinctive elongated cylindrical shape, have small or medium berries, silky and deep purple.
Maturity: Early-ripening
Characteristics: Quite vigorous grape variety, but which varies depending on the choice of clones and the method of pruning. Its branches require trellising.
Terroir: Cooler hillsides and terroirs
In the cellars
Characteristics: Floral, peppery, structured: Syrah is an assertive grape variety. It produces colourful, aromatic, delicate yet robust wines. Tannic but not very acidic, its wines are therefore suitable for aging. It gracefully exudes, in reds, fruity (red and black fruits: raspberry, redcurrant, blueberry, blackberry) and floral (violet, mignonette), and even spicy (truffle, pepper, licorice, menthol) scents. It also gives rise to pretty fruity rosés. As it ages, its characteristic violet aroma evolves towards more complex notes where musk, truffle, leather, pepper or licorice mingle…
Wine styles: Still dry red and rosé wines