Syrah and Grenache
Syrah and Grenache are inextricably linked, as they are the primary grape varieties grown in one of the most notable regions in the world, the Rhône Valley of France.
The Syrah grape is not quite as fashionable as it used to be, as varieties such as Malbec have taken some of the market share away from this historic grape. Responsible for the great wines of Hermitage and Côte-Rôtie in the Rhône Valley, this grape has history and pedigree on par with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. One should always point out the spicy character of Syrah, and like most wines, the warmer growing regions will possess more fruit that the cooler ones.
Australia has had great success with this grape, as Shiraz comprises most of the historically significant wines from Australia. These wines are fuller in body style and heavier than their French cousins. This style of wine has fallen out of favor over recent years, providing the impetus for Australia to greatly reduce the amount of Shiraz under cultivation.
A point of note is that much like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, along with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay; Syrah can often be found sharing a vineyard or commune with the Grenache grape. They both enjoy similar growing conditions and find themselves being blended together quite frequently.
Grenache is the darling of the southern Rhône Valley, having the majority of plantings in all of the sub-regions there. Châteauneuf-du-Pape is responsible for the most exciting Grenache based wines in the world, having a tremendous history and quality on its side. These wines are produced in a wide range of styles, and knowledge about the individual producers is important.
Grenache is the darling of the southern Rhône Valley, having the majority of plantings in all of the sub-regions there. Châteauneuf-du-Pape is responsible for the most exciting Grenache based wines in the world, having a tremendous history and quality on its side. These wines are produced in a wide range of styles, and knowledge about the individual producers is important.