03/27/06 Email Syrah

Welcome to Vine to Wine this is your host Linda Moran and today we are answering questions from the email. Recently a listener wrote It seems like Syrah has gained enormous popularity, what can you tell me about it? It is believed that the grape Syrah was originally from Persia, where it was named Shiraz. Making its way to cultivation in France it became better known as Syrah. The Australians and the South Africans also love this grape, and they continue to call it Shiraz. But Syrah or Shiraz, this grape usually produces a big, dark, seductive wine with lots of roasty flavors and aromas. It is being grown and made into wine quite successfully in the United States primarily in California and Washington State. The wines are showing lots of promise and certainly getting our attention as consumers. It is a versatile wine usually rich and easy to drink when young, but also a wine with great aging potential. In Australia Shiraz is quite popular when made into sparkling wine, and doubting as I was, I found that slightly chilled it was a fabulous Barbecue wine! Syrah is a great food wine; I love to have it with milder cuts of beef, such as grilled beef tenderloin. And one of my most memorable food and wine combinations was a Washington Syrah with a pancetta and caramelized Walla Walla sweet onion tartlet. In order to experience the versatility of Syrah; I encourage you to explore the many different styles, regions and producers. Remember to send your wine questions to Linda at Vine to Wine dot net, and thanks for joining me on today's Vine To Wine.