You Say Syrah, I Say Shiraz
There’s something that often confuses the newcomer to the wine fraternity, and I’d like to take this opportunity to enlighten you. On many occasions I’ve heard people make the mistake of confusing Shiraz, Syrah, Petite Sirah and even Shirazi with each other.
First, let’s confirm that Syrah is a grape variety originating from the northern Rhône valley in France and is synonymous with Shiraz. Shiraz being the common name in parts of the world such as Australia, South Africa and Canada. Syrah should not be confused with Petite Sirah, which is merely a synonym for another grape variety called Durif. Then lastly, Shirazi is the name given to wine produced around the Persian city of Shiraz. Since Iran is under Islamic rule Shirazi wine is no longer produced.
I hope my short explanation has helped you in your quest to better understand wine…
Cheers!
Brandon Marc
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Comments
Brandon, or Peter, I hope you can help me here: Since Shiraz as a cultivar originates from Persia (if I am not mistaking), would it be a correct deduction then that Shirazi, the wine, is made from Shiraz?
Hi Anetha!
As far as I understand it, Shirazi wine is made from the Shirazi grape variety and should not be confused with Shiraz.
Peter, would you agree with my explaination?
Brandon Marc
Syrah is one of the parents of Petite Sirah