The birthplace of Syrah is in France, more precisely near the prestigious regions of Hermitage and Côte-Rôtie in the Rhône Valley. It is also planted in other regions of the South of France: in Provence and Languedoc-Roussillon. In terms of style, the emphasis is often placed on the expression of the terroir rather than on its purely varietal characteristics. Vinified in red as in rosé, it is therefore often blended with other complementary grape varieties, such as Viognier in the Northern Rhône Valley, Grenache and Mourvèdre in the Southern Rhône Valley, to which is added Cinsault in Provence and Carignan in Languedoc-Roussillon. It brings color, structure, as well as floral and spicy notes to blends. Syrah is often partially aged in oak barrels: the slight exposure to oxygen allows it to express itself in a more harmonious way and avoid excessive notes of reduction.
Head to the Côtes du Rhône appellation, where Domaine du Père Caboche blends the five emblematic grape varieties of the South of France in its flagship vintage : Syrah – which brings spicy notes, acidity and tannic structure – as well as as Grenache, Carignan, Mourvèdre and Cinsault. An elegant vintage with silky tannins. For a more atypical vintage, Domaine du Père Caboche also produces Petit Caboche , a blend of Syrah and three other more confidential French grape varieties: Marselan, Egiodola and Caladoc, for a concentrated, fruity wine.
Another famous blend from the Rhône Valley is “Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre”, often called “GSM”. Domaine de Montvac produces a divine example, 100% organic, on the lands of the Gigondas appellation, close to the prestigious Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation in the Southern Rhône Valley. This “Adage” cuvée is a marriage between the deliciousness of Grenache, the elegance of Syrah and the power of Mourvèdre.
Syrah flourishes wonderfully in Languedoc, where its characteristics are praised in red blends. For a powerful and spicy vintage, with remarkable length, MaisonLorgeril offers Château de Ciffre “Terroirs d'Altitude” , a “GSM” blend, whose name testifies to the high altitude terroir of Faugères, on schist soils, suitable for to the production of top-flight wines. Further west, in the Cabardès appellation, "L'Esprit de Pennautier" from Château de Pennautier, also by Maison Lorgeril, is an exceptional cuvée, this time blending Syrah, Grenache and Merlot . Rich and concentrated, it combines intense aromas of prune, cherry, cocoa and roasting. The Cuvée Danglas from winemaker Annick Danglas offers a “GSM” version perfectly balanced between notes of plum, morello cherry and licorice, silky tannins and freshness: a superb Minervois. For a large-scale “Grenache Syrah” duo, the Pic winegrowers produce the Réserve Les Almades in the young appellation of Pic Saint Loup. They brilliantly juggle carbonic maceration and traditional vinification to produce a wine with scents of red fruits and violets, racy and elegant.
And the rosé in all this? Our favorite vintage, where Syrah is combined with Grenache, Viognier and Grenache Blanc, comes from Languedoc, in a vineyard with breathtaking views of the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean Sea. “Ô de Rosé” from Maison Lorgeril is a lively and fresh wine, which reveals delicious aromas of citrus, strawberry and rhubarb, and elegant saline notes.
