Shiraz is the grape variety that put Australia on the wine map and is grown in almost every wine region. However, did you know that we made that name up? Well we couldn’t call it our hero grape without making it a bit more Australian and adding a ‘z’ to the end. So we took the French grape Syrah and gave it an Aussie makeover. But what makes this grape so special, particularly when it comes to Australian wine? Well, this Shiraz wine guide is here to answer all your questions.
The interesting thing about Shiraz is that it is so different across the globe. You have the classic Syrah from one side of the globe, and the big and bold Shiraz wines of Australia (and beyond) on the other. Many of us Aussies are so used to the big reds that it would come as a shock to know Shiraz doesn’t have to be big and bold.
So let’s jump in to this infamous wine!
Spotlight on Shiraz
- Name: Shiraz or Syrah
- Pronounced: ‘shir-ahz’ in Australia, ‘shi-raah’ in France
- Origin: France
- Type of wine: Red wine
- Body: heavy
Shiraz has been established as Australia’s iconic grape, but as one of the many wines considered to be noble, there is so much rich history to this variety that spans the globe. It is grown in almost all wine regions in Australia and is quite adaptable to climate, meaning that winemakers can produce many styles and qualities from the terroir.
This grape has been extensively planted across both the old and new world of wine, meaning that there is so much to discover beyond our Australian wines. Shiraz or Syrah is a key component in some of the fanciest wines around, including Châteauneuf du Pape and Hermitage. those of Even in Australia, the modern wine scene is beginning to experiment with this expressive variety, particularly when it comes to natural, organic and biodynamic wines.
Despite its body and strength, Shiraz is known for being an expressive wine which really showcases the vineyard, time, place and winemaking. This means that a Shiraz from Barossa will be so different from one from the Hunter Valley.
Origins of Shiraz
Legend has it that the origin of Shiraz is Syracuse and the Iranian city of Shiraz, however, there isn’t hard evidence of this. I’m picturing a city filled with red wine and it works for me! There is a legend that French crusaders brought back vines from the city of Shiraz and planted them in their gardens. However, this too has been proven to be a bit of a fairy tale.
Research suggests that the origin is actually France, hailing from the Northern Rhône wine region. In the 1990s the French genetically tested their indigenous grapes to ensure they were truly French (as the French do) and they discovered the Syrah was actually a crossbreed. Sacré bleu!
When it comes to Australia, the history suggests that it was first planted in the mid-1830s in the Sydney Botanical Gardens and the Hunter Valley. It was then taken to South Australia in 1839. The grape has also flourished all over Europe and across the world to America, Chile, Argentina and South Africa.
Flavour profile
Shiraz is responsible for some of the darkest most full-bodied red wines in the world. However, each region produces a different wine with different body, texture and flavours. This can make it hard to produce a single flavour profile for Shiraz. Good news though! If you don’t like one from a particular region, you might like another.
Shiraz wines are normally referred to as being full-bodied with good levels of acidity, making them a perfect food wine. It also means that the grapes can cope with warmer climates, making this grape easy to grow in almost all wine regions.
As a general rule, shiraz tends to have the flavours of dark or red fruits. Other notes include pepper, liquorice, tobacco, herbs and chocolate, mixing together sweet, spicy and savoury elements in one!
There is an incredibly broad spectrum of Shiraz. The new world wines tend to be fuller bodied with ripe flavours and a higher alcohol content, and flavours of darker berries, chocolate and coffee. With Old World wines, the varietal can produce a softer profile with more floral notes, elegant flavours and pepper.
The difference comes from the climate. In warm climates the grapes ripen faster, creating bold styles. In cool areas, the fruit ripens slower and so the wine is softer and more complex.
The difference in many instances is based on the climate. In warmer climes, the grapes ripen faster, leading to a higher sugar content, which results in bold styles and more alcohol. In cooler areas, the reverse applies, where the fruit ripens more slowly and allows for the fruit to take on subtle complexity.
Australian Shiraz
In Australia, almost all the wine regions produce Shiraz, and they all vary greatly in their flavours. Here is a rundown of what you might expect from the key Shiraz regions:
- Barossa – This region is renowned worldwide for its Shiraz, and has one of the oldest Shiraz vines in the world. The wines from the Barossa are full-bodied, have a rich texture, and have notes of blackberry, pepper and spice
- Hunter Valley – Shiraz is the signature grape of the region with very warm growing conditions. This produced wines with medium body and red fruit, leather and savoury characteristics. I once had it described as ‘sweaty saddle’
- McLaren Vale – Shiraz is also the signature grape of this region, however,
the wines have less spice. Think full-bodied wines with rich blueberry and chocolate
- Heathcote – This region is a lot cooler, and so expect medium to full-bodied wines with rich dark fruit and spice
Where you’ll find it
Because Shiraz is pretty adaptable to its climate, you’ll be able to find it in most wine regions across the world. It is also the most widely planted grape in Australia.
There are approximately 460,000 acres of Shiraz worldwide. France still has the most planted, particularly in the region of Côtes du Rhône. This is followed by Australia across our key grape growing regions. From there, plenty of other countries around the world grow Shiraz but not in as large a quantity. You can find Shiraz from Spain, Argentina, South Africa, United States, Italy and Chile. Each will offer a different flavour profile for you to try.
What to look for
In terms of what to look for, there is an endless list of options when it comes to Shiraz. It’s easy to find, making it hard to know what makes a good bottle. First, I would recommend looking out for a region you know you’ll enjoy. If you prefer heavier wines, lean towards warmer climate regions. If you prefer lighter wines, opt for those from a cooler climate.
You can then think about whether you want to try a wine from the old or new world. Keep in mind that Old World wines such as the ones from France will have a much lighter style and taste quite different from the wines of Australia. If you are wanting to try wines from France, make sure you look out for ones from Côtes du Rhône. Keep in mind they might cost you a little more!
Shiraz also partners well with other varieties. You can look out for classic blends such as GSM and Shiraz Cabernet to give this a whirl and try completely different flavours.
Cellaring and price
Good news for those who like to keep their wines as Shiraz is usually a good option for cellaring. Shiraz tends to be oaked, but the use of French Oak tends to be preferred. Shiraz has less resilience on new Oak, particularly Amercian Oak, so keep this in mind if you are wanting to keep it for a while.
In terms of price, this isn’t the best indicator as it vastly varies. You can pick up a decent bottle of Shiraz for under $10 a bottle, but you can also spend over $800 on a Penfolds Grange. So really it comes down to how much you want a coveted wine!
Personally? I like to look for different styles when it comes to my Shiraz. I look out for smaller producers who are experimenting with the wines and offering different flavours.
Regardless of what you choose, you are sure to find a vast range of flavours in this one variety! You may not like one, but another wine might be right up your alley!
What to pair it with
With its full body, strong tannins and high acidity, Shiraz is made for food. The best food to pair it with is BBQ and even better than that is Steak. Steak and Shiraz is a match made in heaven, and no matter what the cut is you simply can’t go wrong pairing the two.
If steak isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other foods to pair with. Think deeply flavourful and rich dishes. Roasted and grilled meats, stews, casseroles, eggplant, mushrooms. These heavier dishes are perfect with Shiraz.
If you want to enjoy Shiraz before dinner, good news! This wine also goes perfectly with charcuterie and firm, aged cheeses.
The Cheeky Vino picks
I’ve enjoyed plenty of Shiraz in my time, particularly this year when we visited McLaren Vale and the Hunter Valley. I was blown away by how different the wines were from each of these regions. Some of my favourite Shiraz wines include:
- d’Arenberg Dead Arm Shiraz 2016 – we didn’t bring a bottle home, but this was my favourite Shiraz we had in McLaren Vale
- The Patriarch Shiraz 2015 from the Clare Valley
- Homeless Grapes Project Shiraz 2018 from McLaren Vale
- Clonakilla Shiraz 2016 from Hilltops
- Granite Ridge Caberaz 2015 from the Granite Belt
The final word on Shiraz
Shiraz, or Syrah, is so varied that you are bound to find one you like. Whether you want a big and bold Barossa Shiraz or a softer French style Syrah, this grape delivers on flavour. It is the heartbeat of the Australian wine industry, and even today we are seeing new winemakers experimenting with this variety to produce new and interesting wines.
Whether you are after a $10 bottle or something more special, Shiraz has a great variety of wines on offer across our wine regions in Australia and the world. So next time you’re sitting down to a nice steak, make sure you have a glass of Shiraz in hand!