Syrah (France)

Syrah is one of the darkest full-bodied wines in the world.

French Syrah and Australian Shiraz is the same grape.

Syrah in France

In the Northern Rhône Valley of France, where the cold Mistral winds blow down from the Massif Central there are 5 Syrah appellations:

Côte-Rôtie AOC - a blend of Syrah and up to 20% Viognier.

Saint-Joseph AOC - Syrah and up to 10% Marsanne and Roussanne.

Crozes-Hermitage AOC - Syrah and up to 15% Marsanne and Roussanne.

Hermitage AOC - Syrah and up to 15% Marsanne and Roussanne.

Cornas AOC - 100% Syrah.

In the Southern Rhône, it is blended in GSM wines (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre) to produce famous blends such as Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas and Côtes du Rhône.