Syrah

Syrah is a varietal grape originating in the Rhone Valley in France.  It represents only 2% of plantings in that country, and is revered.  In Australia, "it represents 40% of all red-wine grapes planted and is largely ignored." (Janis Robinson, Vines, Grapes and Wines, Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1986) Robinson also says, "Although it is much easier to grow Syrah than Cabernet Sauvignon, it is more difficult to make a great, as opposed to palatable, wine from Syrah than from Cabernet Sauvignon.   Like Cabernet Sauvignon and that other very tannic grape variety, Nebbiolo, Syrah needs time to show its greatness.   It is dry, dark, dense, tannic and matches Cabernet's casis with burnt rubber for some, smoke and tar for others."

At right is pictured a Syrah grape leaf.  There are many distinctive characteristics seen in this leaf that provide positive identification of the grape type.   Note the distinct serrations at the outer edges of the leaves.  Also, the manner of leaf indenture is another identifying characteristic.