As ‘Syrah’ it is a red grape variety grown

particularly in the Northern Rhône where it

produces the great red wines of Hermitage,

Cote Rôtie and St Joseph, and in Australia where it

produces wines of startling power and intensity.

In the Northern Rhone it produces wines with black pepper, spices and tar when young, but as it matures it turns a deep garnet colour with evolving earthy, blackberry and damson flavours.

In the Southern Rhône it is blended with Grenache and Mourvèdre to produce the classic red wines of Châteauneuf du Pape and Gigondas. As 'Shiraz' in Australia its spiritual home is the Barossa Valley, where it tends to be sweeter than its Northern Rhône counterpart and the best examples are redolent of new leather, dark chocolate, with liquorice and displays of blackcurrant lusciousness.