Syrah and Shiraz are two names of the same variety of grape. 'Syrah' is the French name and 'Shiraz' is the name most commonly used in Australia. It's a black grape variety known for producing wines with black-fruit flavours and characteristic aromas and black pepper. It can produce soft and fruity wines meant for early drinking as well as exceptionally concentrated examples that evolve complex tertiary flavours in the bottle.
This grape requires a moderate to warm climate to ripen fully and produces wines with medium to high levels of tannins and acidity. The signature style of the moderate-climate 'Syrah' from Northern Rhone in France is typically medium in body with fresh black-fruit flavours, herbal notes and black-pepper aromas. A warmer climate 'Shiraz' such as those produced in Australia is typically full-bodied and high in alcohol, with ripe flavours of cooked black fruits and liquorice. Outside of France and Australia, the use of one name over the other gives consumers an idea of which style the wine has been made in.
We'll be tasting Syrah/Shiraz wines from France, South Africa, Chile and Australia, the full line-up including the normal retail price of each wine is below. We'll also kick the evening off with a welcome glass of fine sparkling wine.
- 2020 Mullineux Syrah, Swartland, SA - £33.95
- 2017 Equis (Maxime Graillot), Cornas, Northern Rhone - £49.95
- 2022 Mulline, Bannockburn Syrah, Geelong, Victoria, Australia - £46.95
- 2017 Matetic Syrah, San Antonio Valley. Chile - £59.95
- 2019 Penfolds, St Henri Shiraz, South Australia - £71.95 TBC
- 2018 Mullineux, Schist Syrah, Swartland, SA - £85.95
Tickets are £50pp, which is great value for wines of this quality. There will also be a discount on the wines tasted if ordered on the night.
