La Syrah
Origin
Nothing specific is known about the history of Syrah, the great grape of the Rhone Valley. Some believe it comes from the city of Shiraz in Persia. Others believe it comes from the north of the Rhone valley, or from Syracuse in Sicily.
In either case, this variety has always had something exotic about it and produces wines characterised by elegant aromas of violet with peppery or smoky accents depending on the soil.
Character
Underlying some of the greatest red wines of the world, the strong personality of Syrah leaves an indelible imprint. Highly aromatic, it is often the basis for full-bodied red wines that are tannin-rich, of extreme subtlety, and of great complexity.
When young, some Syrah wines possess intense “spicy” flavours. These wines can age several decades, as they have a certain acidity that gives them freshness and distinction.
Delicious pure, Syrah is also a wonderful blending wine. It is characterized by its fruit, its ability to age slowly, and the colour of its wines, always impressive with its bluish glints which have earned it the nickname “black wine” in Cornas.
Used in a blend, its aromatic palette is even more complex and, after 5 to 6 years, produces delicious wines, at once rich and refined, gamey and spicy.