Sometimes when people emigrate to a new country they change their name; well, sometimes
grapes do too.

This is the case with Syrah a red grape, dark and rich, that is the backbone of the Rhône
Valley in France. considered one of the best wine grapes in the world Syrah might have
started its life in Persia and travelled to France in the 13th century with the Crusaders, but
modern science tells us that it is an indigenous French variety.

In the northern Rhône Syrah, produces some of the most respected wine in the world;
Hermitage and Côte-Rôtie known for their elegance, strength and ageability. These wines
are available in some vintages sections, usually behind the locked glass case. For a more
economical sample of the style try CROZE HERMITAGE JABOULET DOMAIN DE
THALABERT 2003 - 720466 - $33.15.

In the southern Rhône Syrah is a major contributor to the Chateauneuf-du-pape blend.
BOSQUET DE PAPES - 10405 - $55 is an excellent example of Syrah in the blend, complex,
elegant, assessable now but could be kept for many years.

Midi and Provence as well as Spain is where you find the less expensive Syrahs, many with amusing names like LE FREAK a combination of Syrah (also called Shiraz) and Voignier 2004 - LE FREAK 672261 - $15.15 - a complex, soft juicy wine with lots of fruit and a long lingering finish. Another fun new name on the shelf is LAZY LIZARD SHIRAZ 2004 - 21188 - $13.30 - from the Languedoc. It is full bodied with hints of wild berries, Damson plums, smooth tannins and a nice balanced finish. Agreat buy from the Midi is YVON MAU SHIRAZ 2005 - 621979 - $9.15 - medium bodied, but powerful bouquet of cherry and liquorice, fairly short finish but still a great value. PERRIN RESERVE 2004 - 363457 - $14.15 - is also excellent with black plum, spice and black pepper on the nose, cherry and cassis on the pallet with good ripe tannins.

Syrah travelled to Australia 150 years ago, changed its name and established itself as a respected citizen along with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. In the 1960s Shiraz burst on to the world scene with big, rich, ripe wine, with forward fruit you just could not ignore. It caught the interest of the international wine makers, in California, South Africa, Chile and other warm climate areas. By the 1990s Shiraz had become so popular with the wine drinking public its history from France was all but forgotten and it became the leader in new world wines. The name Shiraz now overshadows the name Syrah so much so that the French are marketing their Syrah as Shiraz.

Australia is the rebirth place of Shiraz and they still produce the most and the best in new world Shiraz. You can’t go wrong with stalwarts like WYNDHAM’S BIN 555 2004 - 189415 - found everywhere. The wine is rich, full bodied, lots of jammy forward fruit, easy to drink because the tannins are soft but not flabby. Also try RED KNOT SHIRAZ 2005 - 619395 - $18.50. Everything Bin 555 is just a little racier.

South Africa is also a major Shiraz country with its own terrior that adds different elements to the wine. Try FALSO BAY SHIRAZ 2005 - 665307 - $12.40 - ripe cherries, plums, tobacco, soft tannins and a big mouthfilling taste.

South America built its reputation on Cabernets and Merlots but with the international popularity of Shiraz they have started to produce some excellent Shiraz as well; from Chile try CASTILLO DE MOLINA 2004 from Lontue - 237800 - $13.25 - this reserva has lovely toasted oak notes, forward fruit of black cherries, blackberried and mature tannins.

Argentina’s entry has a cute name “FUNKY LLAMA” 2005 - $10.15 - this inexpensive wine is earthy and complex, reminiscent of wild game with blackberries, a great buy.

In California some wine makers use the name Syrah and others use Shiraz depending on the style they make. R.H. PHILLIPS SHIRAZ 2004 - 576272 - is definitely new world style right down to the screw cap. Smokey dark fruit on the nose, rich full bodied taste, smooth tannin and a long finish.

At present the wines of the Rhône are very popular and wine from Australia is at an all time high, so both Syrah and Shiraz can be found in the LCBO without any difficulty. It is a fun and tasty experience to try them side by side. Try them on their own and then with food. The leaner more complex Syrahs are designed, like most French wines, to go with food, but the new world Shiraz works well with hearty beef dishes and cheese.

This is just a small cross section of what’s out there, so experiment with Syrah/Shiraz it’s hard to go wrong.