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Syrah

It is surprising that Syrah could be a granddaughter of Pinot noir.

The first mentions of Syrah date back to 1781

For a long time it was believed that Syrah, also called Hermitage, Serine or Shiraz, originated in the town of Shiraz in Persia, from where it migrated to France.

Since then, ampelographic research has made it possible to determine with certainty that the cradle of this grape variety is in the northern Côtes du Rhône , in the surroundings of l'Hermitage and in Côte-Rôtie.

As genetic analyzes in 1998 demonstrated, it is the result of a crossing of Mondeuse Blanche, a Savoyard grape variety, with Dureza, a black grape variety from Ardèche. It is surprising that Syrah could be a granddaughter of Pinot Noir . Furthermore, it is suspected that it would also have genetic links with three grape varieties from South Tyrol and Trentino, south of the Alps, Marzemino, Lagrein and Teroldego.

Syrah is a late budburst, vigorous grape variety with an upright growth habit. The bunches are medium, cylindrical with small ovoid berries of a beautiful bluish black with an intense black fruit taste. It appreciates hot, dry climates, poor soils and shows good resistance to vine diseases. Rigorous control of yields is required. Harvested at good maturity, it produces wines with soft tannins and an aromatic complexity expressing black fruits, licorice, leather and tar without omitting the characteristic note of freshly ground black pepper. Often Syrah wines are aged in barrels to allow them to breathe to prevent reduction notes. These wines take time to open up and develop their potential.

The best Syrahs come from the northern Côtes du Rhône. On the granite soils of Hermitage or the gneiss and schist of Côte-Rôtie, it produces long-lasting wines of incomparable complexity, which amaze with their persistence and depth.

In Switzerland, Syrah also plays an important role, especially in Valais where it covers 172 ha. Introduced in 1926, it produces high-class, powerful and noble wines which are fully able to stand out alongside the best Syrah in the world.

In the south of France, Syrah has experienced a real “boom” in recent decades. It was intensively planted to improve blends of Grenache and Mourvèdre to which it brings color and structure. It has also successfully established itself in Australia where, alone or in blends with Cabernet Sauvignon, it produces both everyday table wines and prestige vintages. One of the most famous Syrah wines around the world is Penfolds' Grange, a legendary Australian wine.