Syrah is widely believed to originate in the Rhone valley
of France, though some made claims to it having been transplanted from
Persia. The Persian theory of origin was disproved in 1998 using DNA
profiling.
To fully ripen with proper
character, Syrah requires heat, yet can over-ripen easily. The blackish
berries are thick-skinned and dark. It is the most prominent
varietal used in the making of Chateauneuf du Pape.
So why two names? The
best explanation for this is complicated. At one time it was simply
a differance of geography. Syrah was a French planting whereas
Shiraz was an Australian planting of the same varietal. Now however
it is a bit more complicated. Now the true differance is more
stylistic. The traditional introverted Rhone Syrah has a differant
presentation than say a Columbia Valley, or South African or Australian
Shiraz. So now it is a matter of same grape varietal, differant
stylistic method of wine making. Make sense?
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