What are the regions where Syrah/Shiraz wine is produced?
Syrah (often called Shiraz in Australia) is grown mainly in the Northern Rhone in France, the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale in Australia, California, Washington State, Chile and South Africa. Cooler regions give peppery, floral, firmer wines. Warmer regions give richer, riper, darker ones.
Free download
Home Bar Storage Chart (PDF): How long liqueurs, spirits, wine and mixers last, opened and unopened. 25 rows, each with its source.
Thank you
Your chart is ready
We use your email only for this download.Also free:
Milk and Dairy Storage Chart (PDF)Juice, Soda and Water Storage Chart (PDF)Coffee, Tea and Hot Drinks Storage Chart (PDF)Drink Strength, Calories and Units Cheat Sheet (PDF)Want the full pack? About 10 printable sheets: a larger chart for each drink type, a “has it gone off?” checklist, date labels, a party planner and an inventory sheet.
In this article
Where is Syrah or Shiraz made?
Syrah is the same grape as Shiraz. The name Shiraz is mostly used in Australia, where the grape arrived in the 1830s, and often signals a riper style. The main regions are below.
| Region | Typical style |
|---|---|
| Northern Rhone, France (Cote-Rotie, Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, Cornas) | The grape’s historic home and the source of its most complex wines: Cote-Rotie is elegant, Hermitage powerful and long-lived, Crozes-Hermitage more approachable. |
| Southern Rhone, France | Syrah mostly in blends, for example Chateauneuf-du-Pape. |
| Languedoc-Roussillon, France | Both single-grape wines and Grenache-Syrah-Mourvedre blends. |
| Barossa Valley, Australia | Very concentrated, bold wines, especially from old vines. |
| McLaren Vale, Australia | Rich and chocolatey like Barossa, with a fresher edge from ocean influence. |
| Stellenbosch and Swartland, South Africa | A mix of Rhone and New World traits. |
| California (Santa Barbara, Paso Robles) | Central Coast wines are more Rhone-like and peppery; warmer areas are richer. |
| Washington State (Walla Walla, Yakima Valley) | Quality Syrah from the Walla Walla and Yakima valleys. |
| Chile (Maipo, Elqui) | Cooler-climate wines with Rhone-like character. |
Why does the region change the taste?
Climate does most of the work. Cool sites ripen grapes slowly and keep acidity and peppery notes. Warm sites push sugar and fruit, so the wine is fuller and often higher in alcohol. Oak, vine age and winemaking add further differences.
How to choose
- For a spicier, more Rhone-style wine, look for the Northern Rhone, the Central Coast of California or Chile.
- For a bold, concentrated wine, look for Barossa, McLaren Vale or warmer parts of California.
- Check the label for the grape name: wines from the Rhone are usually labeled by place, not by grape.
Serving
Serve at cool room temperature, roughly 63 to 66 degrees F, and pair with grilled meats, stews and hard cheeses. This is general guidance.
Drink responsibly.
People also ask
Are Syrah and Shiraz the same grape?
Yes. The name differs by country and often hints at style: Shiraz is usually riper and fuller.
Which country is Syrah originally from?
The Northern Rhone region of France is described as its historic home.
Which regions make peppery Syrah?
California's Central Coast is described as peppery and Rhone-influenced, and cooler regions such as Chile make Rhone-like wines.
Sources
About · How we verify this · Editorial policy · Corrections
What would help you most next?
One tap. Anonymous. It helps us decide what to build.
Thank you. The free charts above are yours to keep.
