Celebrate International Syrah Day

Now is the time to soak up the opportunity to drink the robust, dark, and powerful red wines you've probably accumulated over the holidays to keep you warm. The transition into spring is coming soon, so take advantage of enjoying the red wines you have stored away in your wine collection. If you are a red wine drinker, you probably have a bottle of Syrah hidden in your wine collection.

History

Syrah, also commonly known as Shiraz, is a dark-skinned grape that is well-known throughout the world and is primarily used to produce red wine. Syrah wine has the same name as the grape it's produced from and is the offspring product of two grapes from southeastern France, Dureza and Mondeuse Blanche. The wine can also be found in New World regions such as Australia, Barossa, McLaren Vale, and Adelaide Hills. The color of the grape's skin is black, and the ideal soil to grow the fruit is stone granite, which embodies the warmer, sunnier climate.

About

Syrah is generally known to have high tannins, acidity, dryness, and full-bodiedness. It has flavors of blackberry, plums, and dark chocolate and has strong savory notes of cracked peppercorns, herbs, leather, smoke, and bacon. Alcohol levels tend to be higher, with a range of 14-15.5%, which is a reflection of how long the grape hangs on the vine. The oak age and oak use varies, depending on the producer, like Barossa Valley. The color is generally darker than Cabernet Sauvignon, but the pigmentation can change over time, and it can also be used to create certain rose's. The ideal temperature to serve Syrah is between 60F and 65F, which can be reached by putting the bottle in the refrigerator for 15 minutes. Syrah from cooler climates pairs best with foods like mushrooms, pasta, and duck, while Syrah from warmer climates pairs best with meats like grilled beef, lamb, and other roasted or braised meats. On the other hand, easy-drinking, sweeter, fruity Syrah pairs best with casual food like burgers and BBQ.

HWSD Syrah

Our website offers a special Syrah, Companion Wines Lodi Syrah 2019, which is produced by HWSD. This wine has musky tobacco on the nose, but it loves to breathe and turns to apricot and fig in the nose. It has a jammy fruit forward taste with a sticky flavor that clings to the palate. This Syrah would pair perfectly with a grilled steak, a mushroom cream sauce, garlic mashed potatoes, and grilled asparagus. It would also be perfect for a date night with your loved one.