Syrah Wine Pairing

Syrah and Shiraz are both originally from the same clone, but various regions have chosen one name or the other. They both create rich, robust wines with a smooth texture and signature aromas of spice, pepper, clove and licorice leading, followed by dark fruit such as blackcurrant, blackberry, plum and black cherry, as well as truffle, earth, violets, vanilla, smoke, sandalwood, cedar, cigar box, earth and leather. The greatest of these wines can age for 25 years or more.

Syrah was originally believed to be from Persia, now Iran, from the city of Shiraz, but has since been proven to be indigenous to France, where more than half the world's Syrah vines are planted. The legendary wines of the Rhone Valley's Côte Rotie and Hermitage are made from 100% Syrah. Syrah is also part of the blend in other Rhône wines, including Châteauneuf-du-Pape that often includes Grenache, Mouvèdre and up to nine other grapes.

Syrah is also the flagship red wine of Australia, where it's called Shiraz (easier to pronounce than Syrah), and is often blended with Cabernet Sauvignon. Australia's Barossa Valley is particularly famous for its complex, multi-layered Shiraz. Syrah is also becoming South Africa's leading red. California grows Syrah successfully in Paso Robles where it's usually called Syrah. Syrah pairs well with these foods:

Syrah Wine with appetizers:

     • biscuits: savoury
     • beef jerky

Syrah Wine with beef:

     • pepper steak: barbecued
     • tourtiere
     • beef cooked in red wine
     • beef: roast rare
     • beef: roast
     • beef bourguignonne
     • hamburgers, meatloaf
     • pot roast
     • steak, prime rib
     • brisket
     • steak
     • steak au poivre
     • fondue: meat
     • steak, grilled

Syrah Wine with cheese:

     • Perail de Brebis
     • cheese sandwich: grilled
     • jack: garlic dill
     • jack: garlic & onion
     • cheddar: tomato basil
     • cheddar: smoked
     • cheddar: sharp: 1 year - 4 years
     • cheddar: sharp: 5 years - 12 years
     • sweet constantine
     • gorgonzola
     • romano
     • cheddar
     • cheese: hard
     • cheese: strong
     • parmesan
     • cheese: mature hard

Syrah Wine with chicken/poultry:

     • cold meats
     • chicken wings: spicy

Syrah Wine with ethnic dishes:

     • Tourtière
     • curries: spicy
     • black bean sauces: with Asian dishes
     • chicken korma
     • curry: coconut: mild
     • curries: creamy
     • Indian dishes
     • chicken: butter
     • lamb korma

Syrah Wine with game:

     • boar: wild
     • partridge
     • pheasant
     • rabbit
     • ostrich

Syrah Wine with lamb:

     • lamb chops,steaks
     • lamb shank
     • lamb kebabs with vegetables
     • lamb: rack
     • lamb: leg

Syrah Wine with pasta:

     • lasagna
     • carbonara sauce
     • pasta with herbed tomato sauce
     • pasta with bolognese sauce

Syrah Wine with pizza:

     • pizza: New York
     • pizza: Australia
     • pizza: Ambrosia
     • pizza: seafood
     • pizza: combination

Syrah Wine with pork:

     • pork tenderloin
     • pork roast
     • pork chops
     • pork: grilled
     • pork chops: grilled

Syrah Wine with sauces, spices, herbs:

     • curry powder
     • sauce: indian curry: southeast asia
     • sauce: wine reduction: wine-based marinade

Syrah Wine with seafood & shellfish:

     • fish: barbecued
     • salmon: grilled
     • mackerel
     • tuna: grilled

Syrah Wine with turkey holiday dinner:

     • Tofurkey
     • sauce: cranberry

Syrah Wine with vegetables & salads:

     • vegetables: root: braised
     • mushroom dishes: wild
     • bean-based dishes
     • eggplant: baked or grilled