Syrah vs. Shiraz

Will the real red wine grape please stand up?

By TYLER BALLIET

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It's time to clear up a little misunderstanding: Shiraz and Syrah are the same grape. This is one of those things that can confuse the crap out of novice drinkers for years. Believe it or not, no one really knows why the grape has two different names. There are numerous myths, but none of them are true, so they don't really matter. What does matter is the difference between the two names and when to use them. Luckily, it's relatively simple.

Syrah is the old-world name, and it's used when referring to wines either from France's Rhône Valley or wines made in that style, like those from California. Shiraz is the "new-world" name, and it's given mainly to wines made in a modern style, like those from Australia.

SYRAH

A little too technical? Let's put it like this: The Rhône Valley is the region in France that defined the grape, kind of like how Zeppelin and the Stones defined rock & roll. Regions like Hermitage and Côte-Rôtie are world famous but, like tickets to see these classic rockers, the shit ain't cheap. The affordable stuff is scattered around the Rhône Valley, but it's usually blended with other grapes to soften it up. About 50 years ago, just like Beatles mania, Syrah jumped the pond.

California now makes a crap-ton of this awesome wine. Just like how most modern indie rock sounds a little like Iggy Pop or John Lennon, California Syrah definitely has some French flair to it, while maintaining its modern edge. California is also down with blending the same grapes as their French counterparts, creating a modern take on a classic style.

WE SUGGEST:

2006 Alain Graillot, Crozes-Hermitage, France $37

2005 Barrel 27 Central Coast Syrah, California, $18

SHIRAZ

Mainly thrown around in Australia, the name Shiraz is used when the style is a big, fat, juicy, in-your-face, modern wine. These guys are the punk rockers of the wine world, and they've been kicking ass and taking names since the 1800s. While Australia produces millions of cases of Yellow Tail and The Little Penguin, that stuff is the bubble-gum, Blink 182 pop stars of wine. The wineries that are "only in it to make great music" get less attention but make killer vino. With incredibly modern equipment and highly trained winemakers, they're pumping out raw and bold wines like the Pixies or early Nirvana's contributions to modern rock. You just need to like that "head-butt you and knock out a few teeth but buy you a drink afterward while you catcall the cute bartender" style.

Other vineyards around the world have started to mimic the style, including places like New Zealand, South Africa and even a few wineries in California.

WE SUGGEST:

2006 Strong Arms Shiraz, South Australia, $12

2005 Neil Ellis Sincerely Shiraz, South Africa, $10

[All wines available at Blanchards, 741 Centre St., Jamaica Plain. 617.522.9300. blanchardsliquor.com]

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