Food & Wine

Cathal McBride on Wine: Que syrah, syrah? The common grape of uncommon versatility

This distinctive grape variety has much to offer, with styles varying from the Rhône region of France to south Australia and New South Wales and South Africa

In Australia, shiraz is still the country’s most widely planted grape variety

Between the punchy flavours of the southern hemisphere and the lighter, perhaps more rounded expressions of the Rhône, there is much to appreciate about syrah. International Shiraz Day is approaching, and while wine days might seem somewhat trite, it’s a good time to reacquaint ourselves with the distinctive qualities of this versatile variety. Que syrah, syrah?

Rhône is where it begins and it is used in blends all over the southern region, often playing a ...