Whether we refer to this great varietal as Shiraz or Syrah, we are talking about one of the world\u2019s most illustrious red grape varieties.\u00a0 It is also one of my personal favorites.\u00a0 Grown for centuries in the Rhone Valley of France, where it is responsible in all or part of many of the greatest red wines of France (Hermitage and Ch\u00e2teauneuf-du-Pape specifically), the exact origin of this full-flavored varietal remains in debate.\u00a0 However, historians do agree that it was brought to Europe from the Middle East, but when and by whom remains a mystery.<\/p>\n
Some historians maintain that it was the Crusaders, who first brought Syrah to France, while others point to the earlier Roman legions under Probes, and yet others claim it was the remnants of Alexander the Great\u2019s army on its return from Persia.\u00a0 The latter theory is particularly intriguing since Alexander himself was so enamored of the rich, powerful wines he found around the city of Shiraz in Central Persia, that he insisted on staying there, apparently far longer than he should have, since that is where he met his end.\u00a0 Nonetheless, the one point that has been ascertained that everyone seems to agree upon is that the name Shiraz, from the Persian city of that name, is the origin of the varietal\u2019s name.\u00a0 The grape\u2019s name changed to Syrah as it traveled west.\u00a0 In any case, Syrah flourishes today not only in the south of France but in other Mediterranean climates.\u00a0 It fares particularly well in Australia, California, and South Africa, where it is often called by its original name \u2013 Shiraz.\u00a0\u00a0 Australia\u2019s Barossa Valley, South Africa\u2019s Western Cape and several appellations throughout California produce a bevy of lush, polished Syrah\/Shiraz wines that are not to be missed.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
A Votre Sant\u00e9!<\/p>\n
Don<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Whether we refer to this great varietal as Shiraz or Syrah, we are talking about one of the world\u2019s most illustrious red grape varieties.\u00a0 It is also one of my personal favorites.\u00a0 Grown for centuries in the Rhone Valley of France, where it is responsible in all or part of many of the greatest red […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":""},"categories":[7,11,14],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n