There is a legend that this grape variety was named after one of the most ancient cities in Iran - Shiraz. According to legend, the variety was bred there and then brought to the alpine regions of France. However, research in the late nineties showed that the variety and its progenitors originated from a limited area of south-eastern France. Thus, this popular French grape, due to its uniqueness, is used in the production of a variety of wines. Syrah makes wonderful red and rosé wines. They can be dry, fortified, and even sparkling.
Description of the variety Syrah or Syrah
Syrah is a technical red grape variety. It is characterized by low yield, which creates a good taste of wine. In France, grapes account for only 2% of the red varieties. But in Australia it is the face of the continent, occupying 44% of all grape plantings. In addition, Syrah is widely cultivated in the USA, Switzerland, Italy, South Africa, Chile and Argentina. Drinks based on this grape are distinguished by good ripening and long-term storage. The taste of wines made in Australia and France is different. The grape vine tolerates temperature changes, bad weather conditions and is resistant to a number of diseases.
What does wine go with?
Shiraz is a great addition to dinner and a decoration for any table. The ideal combination of fortified and dry wine will be created with red meat and meat snacks, hot dishes, hard cheeses of various types, and cold cuts. Sparkling wine goes well with fruits, desserts, and light snacks.
In addition to the classic presentation, this variety works well in alcoholic cocktails. Combination with liqueurs, gin, rum, sherry, cognac reveals new facets of the taste and aroma of drinks, and vermouth, created on the basis of wine and herbs, will amaze even gourmets.
Properties of grapes for wine
Syrah is in France, Shiraz is in Australia. The variety has gained great popularity due to its unique characteristics. In France, famous long-lasting dark wines are made from it. The drinks have a peppery taste. Australian wines differ from French wines and are characterized by a slight aroma of black pepper. The variety was created by crossing Mondeuse Blanche and Dureza. Syrah is considered one of the classic grapes, distinguished by its aromas:
- black currant;
- dark cherry;
- blackberries;
- blueberries, with a hint of chocolate;
- coffee;
- skin.
Calorie content
In their raw form, red berries are characterized by low calorie content; 100 grams contain about 70 kilocalories. In table wines, the calorie content remains almost unchanged. Per 100 grams only 83 kcal. As juice, red varieties increase their energy value. Due to the increased content of fructose and glucose in it, the calorie content increases to 150 kcal. Read about the characteristics and description of the Blagovest tomato variety here.
Benefits and harms
Being a red grape variety, Syrah has the same properties. Red berries help normalize hemoglobin levels in the blood. The high content of antioxidants in the pulp and skin of the variety has a beneficial effect on the gallbladder, gastrointestinal tract and liver. Antioxidants are widely used to create anti-aging cosmetics, so grape processing products after wine production are used in the cosmetics industry. There are no significant prohibitions on the use of the variety, but the possibility of individual intolerance should be taken into account. In addition, berries contain a lot of sugar and dyes, which can negatively affect tooth enamel.
Acidity
Acidity depends on many factors. For the most part, the acidity of French Syrah is 7-9%. Australian Shiraz typically has 6-8.5% acids. Sugar content may vary depending on the natural characteristics of the region where the grapes were grown. The sugar content in French berries is 16-21%, and in Australian ones - 15-19%.
Origin
Like all ancient varieties, the Syrah grape, also known as Shiraz, has a vague history, and its origins are precisely unknown. According to one version, it comes from the Persian Shiraz, which was famous for its wines back in the Middle Ages.
Another version considers the valley of the French Rhone River, in the distant past Gaul, to be the birthplace of grapes. It is known that it was grown in these territories at the beginning of our era.
The dispute over primogeniture reached the point that at the end of the last millennium, American scientists carried out a genetic examination. She proved that Syrah is a native French grape. In 2001 it was registered as a quality wine variety.
It is believed that its “parent” was Mondeuse Blanche, which naturally crossed with the Durez variety.
In addition to these two names, you can find Servan black, Hermitage. But Petit Sirah is a local American variety.
Characteristics of the bush
Bushes of medium height with moderate growth vigor. The leaves are small round in shape. Upon closer inspection, three or five blades can be distinguished. The leaf surface is slightly pubescent. In spring and summer, the leaves turn a rich green hue. The Syrah vine has the ability to bear fruit for up to 150 years. As the vine ages, the juice of the berries becomes thicker.
This variety does not tolerate drought well, therefore, if it rains rarely, the bushes need abundant watering.
In autumn, the leaves quickly turn yellow, after which they become almost red.
Vine
The vine of the variety is relatively productive, but not strong. Grapes are characterized by metabolic disorders due to unsuitable weather conditions. In this case, some flowers cannot develop normally into the ovary and fruit. The ovaries form late, so the harvest is usually harvested in the middle of the season. The vine is able to take root in the most unsuitable soils and in extremely unfavorable climatic conditions.
Bunch
The average weight of a bunch is 100-115 grams, with an average of 2-3 bunches per vine. The size of the brushes is medium, with a loose structure. The berries are blue-black, often with a purple tint and a waxy coating. The peel of the fruit is not very thick, however, it is very durable. The pulp is light in color and juicy, the juice is colorless. The berries have a pleasant grape taste, and are also able to withstand long-term transportation and storage for 4-5 months, without loss of commercial quality.
Find out about growing Elan onions from seeds at this link.
Syrah fruits add blueberry and blackberry flavors, while Shiraz fruits add prune and dark cherry flavors.
Productivity
The variety is characterized by small yields. If the grapes are not picked in time, they will lose their characteristic aroma and acidity. And with large harvests, tannins will also be lost. To create the best wine, it is necessary to sacrifice the amount of harvest, which is not accepted by Australian winemakers. In France, they easily abandon quantity in favor of quality. Even with low yields, Shiraz remains popular. This material will tell you about the varieties of Pinot grapes.
With proper agricultural technology, Syrah bushes can produce a decent harvest for 50-100 years.
Australia as a wine region
We often have poor acceptance of foods we know little about. Wine is rarely a mystery, but spirits from Australia make many people wary. Believe me, you have nothing to fear. A low price in this case does not indicate low quality. Although the distant continent entered this race not so long ago, its representatives clearly have certain advantages.
Wine region Australia
- In 2011, Australia was ranked sixth in the world in wine production (the top five positions were taken by France, Italy, Spain, the United States and Argentina) and has remained in the top ten since then.
- The mainland's climatic conditions are very different from other wine-growing regions of the world. Here the grapes can become overripe in just one night. This adds to the hassle of winemakers, but the unbridled climate allows for the creation of unique Australian wines.
- A powerful leap in the development of winemaking has been made over the past 20-30 years. Before this, the economic potential of this product was underestimated, although wine began to be made here in 1791.
- Most of the alcohol from Australia is exported to India and the USA. These distribution channels are well established, so the expansion of Australian wine exports has been slow. As production volumes increase, this can all change.
- People in the country drink more white wine, although red wines are mainly exported. Recently, this trend has begun to level off, but red and white will not be equally popular any time soon.
Winemaking in Australia is developing along a special path. The remoteness of the mainland, even with current transport capabilities, affects the development of business in general - winemaking in particular. No matter how hard Australians try to follow the basic principles of the Old World, their drinks are very different from those familiar to Europeans. Whether this is good or bad can only be judged after tasting.
Growing this variety
Syrah is loved by many winemakers for its ability to take root in poor soils, as well as its predisposition to long-term storage. The peculiarity of the variety is that the wine made from this grape only becomes tastier over the years. Although it is widely accepted that Syrah and Shiraz are the same variety, this is not entirely correct. French Syrah is used in the preparation of a strict mineral wine, with the obligatory pepper. Australian Shiraz allows you to create juicy and bright drinks.
The French type ages well; a drink made from this grape can only be drunk after 5 years. The Australian analogue is preferably used for young wine, which opens after two years.
Planting period
Syrah and Garnacha varieties are sensitive to weather changes, and a sharp drop in temperature can negatively affect the ripening of berries. Low temperatures also slow down the ripening of the vines. When cultivated in areas with strong winds, the bushes need support. The grapes do not like severe drought, so they require periodic watering during the growth period. Thanks to its large root system, the vine does best in poor soils. Syrah can adapt to almost any climate suitable for growing grapes.
Syrah grapes grow well and bear fruit in any soil, including poor soil.
Ripening period
The grapes are characterized by a late ripening period. To fully ripen the fruits need a lot of heat. Typically, the berries of this variety begin to be harvested in the middle of the season. Don't delay picking ripe grapes. Due to overripeness, the crop may fall and lose its value.
How to serve
When looking at various types of Shiraz wine in store catalogs, pay attention to the fact that it must be served in accordance with generally accepted classical canons. This is the only way to recognize the exquisite colors of colors in terms of smells and tastes.
In particular, try to pour Syrah wine into tall, thin stemmed glasses.
Thanks to these wine glasses, you will be able to recognize the unique color of each assemblage and eliminate its heating by hand. Attention must also be paid to temperature. Sparkling versions of drinks are best served very chilled, to 7-10 degrees, but ordinary red wines can be tasted already at a temperature of 16-18 degrees.
Care
Syrah is very sensitive to low temperatures. When cold weather sets in, the harvest and the vine itself may suffer. The variety loves warmth, but does not tolerate dry weather well. During periods of planting and ripening of the crop, when there is a lack of moisture, the bushes need additional watering. The grape vine is very sensitive and fragile, so in windy areas it requires additional protection. But, despite such capriciousness, Syrah is very resistant to many grape diseases.
Prevention of diseases of the Shiraz variety
In the spring, when frost returns, the vine must be treated with a protective solution. Additionally, Nitrofoska or Kemira can be sprinkled into the ground around the grapes and then watered. In June, the vine is covered with a mixture of Ridomilom and Fufanon to protect against downy mildew. In autumn, Super Extra, Syrah and Tempranillo varieties can be fed with a manure solution. In winter, when there is severe frost, the grapes should be covered with spruce branches.
You can find out how to cover grapes for the winter here.
To prevent pests and diseases, bushes should be sprayed with Nitrafen solution.
Grape pruning
Spring pruning occurs after warm weather sets in. Broken and frozen stems are cut off, the rest of the vine is tied up and treated with protective solutions. In summer, it is periodically necessary to pinch the stems so that the bush grows no higher than 1.7 meters. Autumn pruning should be carried out only after the harvest has been harvested and the leaves have completely fallen off. To protect it in winter, the vine must be pruned in such a way that it is easy to bend it to the ground and cover it.
conclusions
- Syrah and Shiraz are generally considered to be the same grape. However, they have some differences.
- Syrah is native to France, but Australia is considered to be the variety's second home.
- The berries are characterized by a very dark shade. At the same time, grape juice has no color.
- The main distinguishing feature of Syrah is its ability to be stored for a long time. Wines based on it only become tastier over the years.
- The vine of this variety is very sensitive and capricious, but has excellent resistance to grape diseases. It also prefers to grow in poor soils.
- Despite the low yield and capriciousness, the grapes are very popular among winemakers.
Also read how to store grapes in more detail in this article.
How to distinguish a fake from the original
When choosing Australian Shiraz wine or giving preference, for example, to various Bulgarian wines, try to pay attention to the main signs of high-quality assemblages.
The alcohol market today is oversaturated with a large number of counterfeits, and accordingly, a careless attitude towards purchasing can upset you with a low-quality product. To prevent this from happening, consider the following nuances:
- Products of famous brands are supplied in authentic packaging. When buying a branded bottle you like, be sure to visit the manufacturer’s official website and get acquainted with what the original bottle should look like. Also examine the container for manufacturing defects. Experienced manufacturers do not allow glass chips, glue drips, deformed lids and other unpleasant moments on their products.
- Foreign assemblages must be sold with a tax stamp. The absence of an excise tax should immediately alert the consumer.
- The consistency should be without new growths. In aged fortified Syrah wine you will never encounter turbidity or new growths.
- It should be purchased from licensed alcohol boutiques. Do not trust dubious retail outlets where they cannot provide you with a certificate for foreign alcoholic products.
