Syrah/Shiraz
The Shiraz / Syrah grape is called Syrah in the US, France and many
countries. In Australia it is called Shiraz, where it is considered the
finest red wine grown there. Shiraz is certainly the most widely planted red
grape in Australia. Now that Shiraz has become well known and popular, some
wineries in the US who are making an "Austrlian style wine" with this grape
are calling their wines Shiraz as well.
The Shiraz grape was once thought to have originated in Persia, but recent
research indicates the grape is a native of the Rhone valley, in France.
Yes, there is a town in the middle east named Shiraz that has made wine for
centuries. However, that town is NOT where the Shiraz grape came from.
Shiraz is known for its spicy blackberry, plum, and peppery flavors. Often
there are additional notes of licorice, bitter chocolate and mocha. Shiraz
is even affected by growing temperature - warmer climates bring out the
mellower flavors of plum, while cooler temperatures spice up the wine.
Shiraz can be made in a fruity style, which many "sweet" wine drinkers
enjoy. It can also be made in a dry style.
1. Coyote Canyon Winery 2005 Estate Syrah, Horse Heaven Hills, WA
2. Manzoni Estate 2006 Paraiso Vineyard Syrah, Santa Lucia Highlands, CA
3. H/H Estates 2006 Reserve Syrah, Horse Heaven Hills, WA
4. Kennedy Point 2007 Syrah, Waiheke Island, VA
5. Tulocay 2007 Haynes Vineyard Syrah, Napa Valley, CA
6. Manzoni Estate 2006 Family Estate Vineyard Syrah, Santa Lucia Highlands,
CA
7. Hooker 2005 "Home Pitch" Lawer Family Vineyard, Syrah, Knights Valley, CA
8. Dunham 2005 Syrah, Columbia Valley, WA
9. Two Rivers 2007 Mesa County Syrah, Grand Valley, CO
10. Oveja Negra 2008 Single Vineyard Syrah, Maule Valley, FL
Winery and Wine Web Sites
Wine Spectator
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Wine Enthusiast Magazine - Up-to-date
coverage of the major wine regions of the world, information on new
releases and over 300 ratings and reviews.
Wine & Spirits Magazine
- Consumer magazine promoting the greater
appreciation and enjoyment of wine and fine spirits. Features include
articles on food and travel as well as results of the American Wine
Competition, and restaurant and retail surveys.
Wine-Searcher.com
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Wine-Searcher's daily updated database of 6521 wine merchants'
price lists saves you money when buying wines. The site provides the
fastest and easiest way to find who is selling a wine, to compare prices
between wine stores, and to value wines.
USA Wines - Listing
United States wines, wineries and shops. Also features regional maps,
information on lodging, dining and events.
Niebaum Coppola Wine Estates
- Offers a selection of
wines plus information and a tour of the estate.
Avalon of Oregon - Oregon,
Washington and Idaho wines and gourmet foods along with articles and
reviews.
California Wine - Providing
a selection of premium California wines.
New York Wine Cork -
A
guide to New York vineyards, with a list of wineries, calendar of
events, news, tasting notes, and recipes.
Los Olivos Wine and Spirits Emporium -
Santa Barbara County wines.
Winetasting.com - California
wineries offering products and information. News, events, and clubs.
WinoWorld.com -
Wines from Washington and the Pacific Northwest
including Syrahs from Glen Fiona and Seven Hills wineries.
The Wine Reserve - California
and limited production wines.
Signature Wines - A
selection of US produced wines with custom labeling.
Villa Toscano -
Wines by a "Tuscan" winery in the Sierra Foothills of
California.
Wine Online - A
tasting Panel of wine industry professionals and culinary advisors.
This listing of the
America's Best
Syrah was compiled with the help from a Wine Group called
Wine Addiction.
This list is constantly
being revised as we experience and learn
about more of America's Great Wine. So, if you feel you we have missed a great
Chardonnay,
please send us a bottle.