How is Syrah/Shiraz wine made?
Syrah and Shiraz are the same grape, made by crushing the grapes, fermenting the juice with the skins for color and tannin, then usually aging the wine in oak. Syrah from cooler places can be fermented with whole clusters, while Shiraz from warm places is often made from destemmed grapes and aged in new oak.
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In this article
How is Syrah or Shiraz made?
Syrah and Shiraz are one grape. The steps follow standard red winemaking, and the main differences come from climate and the winemaker choices below. Details vary by producer, so treat these as typical, not universal.
The basic steps
- Harvest and sorting: grapes are picked when ripe; warmer regions ripen them fully.
- Fermentation on the skins: the juice ferments with the skins, which gives color and tannin.
- Malolactic fermentation: some producers use it to soften acidity.
- Aging: often in oak barrels, then the wine is bottled.
Syrah vs Shiraz in the cellar
| Choice | Syrah (cooler regions) | Shiraz (warmer regions) |
|---|---|---|
| Typical regions | Northern Rhone, Washington State | Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale |
| Fermentation | Some producers use whole clusters; practice varies | Often destemmed grapes |
| Oak | May be aged in oak, adding vanilla and smoke | Often new oak, more vanilla and oak flavor |
| Style | Elegant, structured, black pepper | Fuller, fruit-forward, higher alcohol |
Other techniques
In Cote-Rotie in the Northern Rhone the rules allow up to 20% white Viognier co-fermented with the Syrah, though many producers use much less. Oak choices vary widely, so read the producer notes.
What to look for on a bottle
Check the place name and ABV. A cooler-climate Syrah usually tastes of blackberry, black pepper and spice; a hot-climate Shiraz usually tastes of plum, chocolate and sometimes eucalyptus. Producer websites often list months in oak.
Common mistakes
Do not assume Shiraz is a different grape. Do not assume oak always means vanilla: old casks add little flavor.
People also ask
Are Syrah and Shiraz the same?
Yes, they are the same grape. The names usually signal style: Syrah for cooler, more elegant wines and Shiraz for warmer, fruit-forward ones.
Is Shiraz aged in oak?
Often, and frequently new oak, though it varies by producer.
What is co-fermentation with Viognier?
In Cote-Rotie, Syrah may be fermented together with white Viognier, up to 20% under the rules; many producers use much less.
Sources
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