A popular black grape variety,"Syrah."
Known as a principal variety of the Côte du Rhône region in France,many people may be more familiar with the easy-drinking Syrah from Australia, California, Chile, and other regions.
Here, we will share fundamental knowledge about Syrah, its flavor characteristics, and the recently trending "cool-climate Syrah."
What is the origin of Syrah?
Syrah is a black grape variety whose parents areDurezaandMondeuse Blanche, grape varieties cultivated in southeastern France.
While it is known as a principal variety of the Côte du Rhône region in France, its preference for warm climates has made Syrah (Shiraz) from Australia's Barossa Valley and California's Paso Robles equally famous.
The bunch is cylindrical, the berries oval-shaped, and characterized by a bluish-black color.
In the Rhône region, the birthplace of Syrah,stake training and Guyot trainingare commonly used cultivation methods.
Characteristics of Syrah
When it comes to Syrah's characteristics,that deep color stands out.
With powerful and spicy flavors and the potential to withstand long-term aging, this variety produces premium wines.
Syrah evokes…
- Blueberry
- Black pepper
- Animalistic aromas
- Sweet-bitter spices
- Clove
- Nutmeg
- …etc
And while it is characterized by richness and robust tannins, it is famous for showing various expressions depending on the region and cultivation methods.
For example, some premium Syrah from Côte du Rhône featureswild aromas like leather with intense spiciness and fine-grained tannins, while others possessfloral aromas and acidityso pronounced they could be mistaken for Pinot Noir.
With New World Syrah, you will often encounter wines that arebursting with fruit flavors like blackberry, with smooth tannins that make them easy to drink.
Additionally, it is characteristic that this variety is oftenblended with white grapes or other black grape varieties.
While its strong character often positions it as the star, it is also a versatile grape variety that can excel in asupporting role.
Rotundone and Eucalyptus
When it comes to Syrah, it's that black pepper-like spicy aroma.
Especially in high-quality examples, this nuance is readily perceived,truly serving as an excellent spice element in the wine.
Now, this black pepper aroma (spicy aroma).
In 2008, the Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI) identified that it derives from a compound called"rotundone".
Rotundone is an extremely powerful component, and even when present in small amounts in wine, it can have considerable influence.
Black pepper, of course, but rotundoneis also believed to be associated with creating the flavors perceived in herbs and spices.
Incidentally, research suggests that some people cannot perceive this aroma produced by rotundone, and the proportion is as high as one in five.
Even if you cannot detect the black pepper aroma in Syrah,rest assured, there's nothing wrong with your nose…
Is Australia eucalyptus?
When it comes to Australian Syrah,Shiraz.
Being relatively easier to drink than those from Côte du Rhône, many people may prefer Australian Shiraz.
Now, according to certain research, Australian Shiraz and other red wines are said to havean aroma reminiscent of "eucalyptus".
Particularly, those from regions like Clare Valley, Coonawarra, and Padthaway exhibit a pronounced eucalyptus-like freshness.
In fact, Australian red wines contain"eucalyptol", a component of eucalyptus aroma, which provides a cooling sensation and minty nuances.
While the aforementioned regions have many eucalyptus trees, it is suggested that oil extracted from eucalyptus leaves influences the grapes.
Since we mentioned that rotundone also contributes to herbal aromas,those seeking particularly refreshing Syrah (Shiraz)might want to check out red wines produced from these regions.
About Cool-Climate Syrah
Finally, let's discuss the recently trendingcool-climate Syrah.
Cool-climate meansa cool climatic condition.
In other words, cool-climate Syrah refers to Syrah cultivated in cool regions.
Syrah is characterized by low photosynthesis rates, making sunlight hours extremely important. To achieve full ripeness, it must be cultivated in warm climate regions with abundant sunlight.
However,cool does not necessarily mean insufficient sunlight.
By obtaining sufficient sunlight while remaining cool, grape sugar levels do not spike rapidly, and as a result, acid reduction is also relatively suppressed, allowing for the harvest of Syrah that produces elegant wines.
Furthermore, rotundone, a characteristic component of Syrah, is said toincrease in contentthe cooler the climate, bringing complexity to the aroma and flavor.
Additionally, there is the advantage that while phenolic maturity increases, the cool climate prevents alcohol levels from becoming too high.
Syrah from cool regions is garnering attention globally, andin Japan, Syrah cultivated in Azumino Ikeda and high-altitude areas of Nagano is highly regarded even by industry insiders.
In the future, Syrah may be cultivated in cool regions throughout Japan, and regional differences could emerge, which would be quite interesting in itself.
We will continue to watch Japanese Syrah with great interest.
Syrah is fascinating!
As mentioned earlier, Syrah is a black grape variety that can be made into wine as a single variety, blended with white grapes, or used for blending purposes.
After understanding the general flavor characteristics,it would be interesting to compare various examples to see the individual character of each Syrah and what impressions arise from blending.
Syrah is a variety that will become increasingly interesting going forward.
Please keep a close eye on it and continue to follow its developments.
Reference
AWRI Pepper and spice in Shiraz What influences Rotundone levels in wines?