![The wine of the month is the newest vintage of the American Syrah. The Syrah grape is quite well known, but many seem quite confused when they see bottles with the names Syrah, Shiraz and Petite Sirah (also spelled ‘Syrah’).The Syrah grape is capable of producing wines of immense complexity. Its origins derive from the Rhone Valley of France where it is somewhat worshipped. Syrah has the oldest charted geography, as well as history, of any of the grape varieties. It is known for its ‘spicy’ and ‘peppery’ qualities and is also noted for its ability to produce roasted and smoky, blackberry flavors. The most popular wine in Australia, grossing 40 percent of vine growth, is Shiraz; however it is said to have truly originated in the Shiraz region of Persia. The difference in terroir (soil geography) creates a product somewhat different than its French version, Syrah. Shiraz produces a strawberry flavor with smoky, earthy aromas. Its soft peppery qualities are less than that of Syrah, but smoke persists. Finally, Petite Sirah has somewhat of a murky origin. Petite Sirah was planted in California in the late 1800’s, named Petite because of its much smaller clusters than Syrah. It was also confusingly known as the Durif grape as it was promoted in France by Dr. Durif. Petite Sirah produces an inky dark wine, robust and rich in tannins. Hopefully this will clear up any confusion between the three grapes. The grapes for this vintage of Syrah came from Jones Vineyard in Washington. The grapes were grown on the Wahluke Slope, a geographically isolated, generally south-facing slope near the Saddle Mountains in southeastern Washington, is the state’s eighth federally recognized American Viticultural Area (AVA); named “Wahluke,” or “watering place” by the Native Americans who settled there. This beautiful Syrah was aged in both French and American oak for 25 months and is a blend of 85% Syrah and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. Enjoy this gorgeous red on a pretty autumn day!Aroma: Violets, blueberries, wild berries, coffeePalate: Raspberry jam, warm spices, vanillaBody: MediumFinish: clean, acidic, well-balancedFoods: Cheddar burgers, chili, BBQ beef, grilled tuna, Parmesan cheeseBlend: 85% Syrah, 15% Cabernet SauvignonRegion: Wahluke Slope, WAAlcohol: 14%Residual Sugar: 0.2%Expect bright fruit flavors with notes of delicate oak in this ripe, Washington Syrah. This purplish red wine boasts aromas of wildberries, violets & coffee with raspberry jam, vanilla & spices on the palate.
[ed. note - falling behind on posting meal photos again, but this time it’s cause I’m trying to come up to speed on Picasa to make the photos look better. Since I’m not artistic in the least, this is taking awhile.]](http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lqwmn5X0I61qzkz6lo1_250.jpg)
The wine of the month is the newest vintage of the American Syrah. The Syrah grape is quite well known, but many seem quite confused when they see bottles with the names Syrah, Shiraz and Petite Sirah (also spelled ‘Syrah’).
The Syrah grape is capable of producing wines of immense complexity. Its origins derive from the Rhone Valley of France where it is somewhat worshipped. Syrah has the oldest charted geography, as well as history, of any of the grape varieties. It is known for its ‘spicy’ and ‘peppery’ qualities and is also noted for its ability to produce roasted and smoky, blackberry flavors.
The most popular wine in Australia, grossing 40 percent of vine growth, is Shiraz; however it is said to have truly originated in the Shiraz region of Persia. The difference in terroir (soil geography) creates a product somewhat different than its French version, Syrah. Shiraz produces a strawberry flavor with smoky, earthy aromas. Its soft peppery qualities are less than that of Syrah, but smoke persists.
Finally, Petite Sirah has somewhat of a murky origin. Petite Sirah was planted in California in the late 1800’s, named Petite because of its much smaller clusters than Syrah. It was also confusingly known as the Durif grape as it was promoted in France by Dr. Durif. Petite Sirah produces an inky dark wine, robust and rich in tannins. Hopefully this will clear up any confusion between the three grapes.
The grapes for this vintage of Syrah came from Jones Vineyard in Washington. The grapes were grown on the Wahluke Slope, a geographically isolated, generally south-facing slope near the Saddle Mountains in southeastern Washington, is the state’s eighth federally recognized American Viticultural Area (AVA); named “Wahluke,” or “watering place” by the Native Americans who settled there.
This beautiful Syrah was aged in both French and American oak for 25 months and is a blend of 85% Syrah and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. Enjoy this gorgeous red on a pretty autumn day!
Aroma: Violets, blueberries, wild berries, coffee
Palate: Raspberry jam, warm spices, vanilla
Body: Medium
Finish: clean, acidic, well-balanced
Foods: Cheddar burgers, chili, BBQ beef, grilled tuna, Parmesan cheese
Blend: 85% Syrah, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Wahluke Slope, WA
Alcohol: 14%
Residual Sugar: 0.2%
Expect bright fruit flavors with notes of delicate oak in this ripe, Washington Syrah. This purplish red wine boasts aromas of wildberries, violets & coffee with raspberry jam, vanilla & spices on the palate.
[ed. note - falling behind on posting meal photos again, but this time it’s cause I’m trying to come up to speed on Picasa to make the photos look better. Since I’m not artistic in the least, this is taking awhile.]
