Shiraz / Syrah - Whats the Difference?

There are a few varieties of wine that taste almost identical, yet have different names. Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio, Sparkling Wine and Champagne and the newly popular Shiraz and Syrah are a few of these mystery names of wine. So whats the difference between a Shiraz and a Syrah? Like most differences in wine names, the answer is Location Location Location.

Shiraz and Syrah are the same grape, but from different locations in the world. The name Shiraz is only used for the Syrah grapes grown in Australia. Every other Syrah is known as Syrah. (The Californians have adopted the Shiraz name for marketing purposes, but it is widely known that real Shiraz comes from the Aussies.)

Producers throughout the New World and Mediterranean Europe are planting new vineyards and nurturing old ones that have been forgotten in the past years while merlot and cabernets have been the wine of choice. Whats sparked this revitalization of grapes like shiraz/syrah? People are looking full-bodied, spicy wines and there is no better varietals than shiraz/syrah.

Syrahs home is in the Rhone Valley in France where the berry fruit is dense, inky and more herbal, the acidity is higher and the aroma hints of fresh ground pepper. Syrah can gain complex leathery gamey flavors as it matures. Shiraz is grounded mainly in the Barossa Valley of Australia. The Australian Shiraz is from whats thought to be from the greatest plantings of Shiraz in the world is found.

In the old vines Shiraz from Australia the grapes are riper, fuller and there is a rich, mouth-filling chocolaty character with a spicy element. The Shiraz wines are intense but more succulent and have a better longevity than its counterparts. Shirazs made in the southern part of Australia are known for their peppery taste, rarely found in any other wines.

Syrah/Shiraz doesnt only make expensive, top of the line wines. In Australia where it has regained its position as the most planted red grape, it is responsible for masses of everyday, smooth, spicy, blackberry flavored reds. It is also blended very successfully with cabernet sauvignon at all quality levels and is made into a delicious, full bodied, ripe, spicy red wine.

So whether youre drinking a Syrah or Shiraz, get ready for a bold, spicy, big red that is perfect on its own, or paired with aggressively prepared foods. Look for Syrahs from South Africa, Chile and Argentina in the coming years, there have been successful plantings in the past years and with the complexity of todays Syrahs these will be just as great.

John Gibb is the owner of Wine guides For more information on wine check out http://www.Wines-Guidance.Info

Red Grapes Are Not Just For Jelly
As a continuation to, White Grapes are as Different as Apples and Oranges, red grapes are very much the same. Sometimes it is hard to believe that one small piece of fruit can vary so much. Even though there are dozens upon dozens of varieties of red grape, the following is a short list of what I feel are the major red varieties.Pinot NoirPinot Noir originates in Burgundy but can also call places such as Tasmania and New Zealand home and is ofte...

So Many Types Of Red Wine - Which Do You Prefer?
Are you some one who loves to have a glass or two of red every now and then but gets confused with the different types of red wines that are available? Well, let me tell you that you are not alone. It can become a little confusing at times especially if you a new comer to this style of drink.When you go into a liquor store or to a restaurant and want to purchase a red then you will of course have to decide on which variety to buy. You will come a...

Pairing Food and Wine is a Matter of Taste
First off let me say that I am in no way a wine snob. I do not believe that there is an ultimate right and wrong way to pair wine with food. It all boils down to your personal taste and the tastes of your guests. Most people like to pair white wines with white meats and lighter meals like fish, and red wines with red meats and pastas. You can certainly mix it up, however. Experiment and go with what you think tastes good.That being said, some peo...

Health Insurance HMO PPO Plan — What’s The Difference?
Health Maintenance Organizations, also known as HMOs, and Preferred Provider Organizations, also known as PPOs, are just two types of health insurance plans that belong to a larger spectrum of health insurance plans called Managed Care Insurance.The characteristic that all health insurance plans categorized as managed care insurance have in common is that they provide policy holders with a list of doctors and other health care providers that they...

Wine and Cheese: Are There Really Any Rules?
Cheese and wine are thought of as natural partners. What can be a more pleasant prospect than a cheese and wine party?But actually, the fact that the two so often go together is strange. The truth is that more often than not, cheese and wine actually clash. Or at least they do nothing at all for each other.The other strange thing is that we are more inclined to serve red wine than white wine with cheese. In actual fact white wines often go be...