A Look at Syrah
by Kermit Lynch
Harvest at Domaine Faury
© Domaine Faury
Harvest at Domaine Faury
© Domaine Faury
A Look at Syrah
by Kermit Lynch
Syrah is an important grape in many wines throughout southern France, and there is an argument to be made for Syrah’s being France’s noblest grape variety. Of course the Bordelais and Burgundians would have something very relevant to say about that assertion, but the breadth of Syrah’s adaptability to different climates and soils across France is remarkable.
The northern Rhône is birthplace to the great pure Syrahs of the world, with appellations such as Côte-Rôtie, Cornas, and Hermitage producing vastly different wines with the uncanny ability to combine power and finesse. Thankfully there are a few Syrahs grown in the hillsides of the northern Rhône that fall outside the more famous and expensive appellations, but they manage to deliver many of the same pleasures. We’re talking about violets, lily, black olive, pepper, bacon fat, etc.
In the Languedoc, Syrah rarely flies solo but typically plays a critical role in blended wines along with Grenache, Mourvèdre, Carignan, and Cinsault. We’ve selected three of our wines containing at least 60% Syrah to give you a feel for what the grape can do in the Deep South. We tend to seek out growers with higher elevation, cooler climate vineyards, our experience showing that the grape can struggle to achieve the right balance in other parts of the Languedoc and southern Rhône Valley.
I keep reading about how American wines pair best with hamburgers, but it would be tough to beat this selection of top French Syrah with a great burger— or anything else you throw on the grill, for that matter.
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