![](https://okanaganlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/October-2007.jpg)
Syrah – Shiraz … whatever you call it, this French/Aussie varietal can mix ’n’ match or stand tall on its own
Syrah, the great red grape of the northern Rhône, produces such superstars as Hermitage and Côte-Rôtie as well as Saint-Joseph, Crozes-Hermitage and Cornas. At their best, these long ageing wines are dark, dense and immensely concentrated with flavours of spice, leather, tar, game and blackberries.
In the southern Rhône and the vast Languedoc, Syrah has enjoyed an extraordinary surge in popularity. Here it’s not consumed so much as a single varietal but as a component adding complexity and structure to blends that include Grenache, Mourvèdre, Carignan and Cinsaut.
The grape has also flourished in Australia since the first half of the 19th century, where it has always been identified as Shiraz, a name that may be better known to many consumers than the French original. Typically, Aussie Shiraz shows riper fruit and suppler texture than the Rhône examples.
Quick facts
• Syrah/Shiraz represents about 10% of the red wine produced in the Okanagan
• Penfolds Grange (shiraz) is Australia’s most famous and long-lived wine
• Rhône Rangers: American winemakers producing Rhône varietals (Bonny doon)
• More Rhône — Gigondas, Lirac, Vacqueyras
• More Midi — Coteaux du Languedoc, Corbières, Vin de Pays d’Oc
Best way to enjoy
Food pairings: Hearty dishes: intensely-flavoured stews, meaty casseroles; Rich roasted meats: game, beef, lamb; Char-grilled meats; Baked dishes made with lamb, beef, pork, duck, sausages; Hard cheeses like an aged cheddar
Temperature: 18 to 21 C
Type of glass: good quality, large bowled, stemmed
Read more of the original stories celebrated in our 30th-anniversary issue.
Park & Play at even more Kelowna parks this summer
Kelowna’s parks will soon be filled with bouncy castles, games and entertainment as the Park & Play program returns for another summer of free family fun. From Monday, July 3, to Friday, August 25, the City’s Park & Play crew will set up at local parks across...
Celebrating 150: O’Keefe Ranch presents “Canada’s Wild West” Cowboy Dinner Show
The Cowboy Dinner Show is back for its 9th season at the O’Keefe Ranch as, this year, Canada and The O'Keefe Ranch both celebrate 150 years in existence. The show will take guests back to Canada's Wild West and Rob Dinwoodie and his western musical trio "Open Range"...
Charity fundraiser Summer Sips raises funds for Operation Smile
A Wine Tasting + Silent Auction hosted by Kelowna’s Miss Universe Canada Finalist Miss Universe Canada Finalist, Shanelle Connell, is partnering with Prospera Place and the Delta Grand Okangan Resort to host a summer charity event with an authentically Okangan theme —...
The Okanagan celebrates First Nations wellness on June 21
On June 21, First Nations and Aboriginal peoples across BC, their partners and the general public will celebrate wellness at 160 National Aboriginal Day of Wellness events. Over 20,000 people are anticipated to take part in wellness-focused, community-organized...
Sculptures enhance permanent legacy of former UBC student
Student’s father creates bronze deer in memory of his son Two bronze deer now grace the grounds of UBC’s Okanagan campus, a gift that will forever stand as a legacy to former undergraduate student River Sidley. River died suddenly in 2014 and received a posthumous...
Kelowna residents weigh in on Agriculture Plan
Kelowna residents and local farmers are reminded of an opportunity to review the draft Agriculture Plan at an upcoming public information session. Wednesday, June 21 4-6:30 p.m. Reid Hall, Benvoulin Heritage Park (2279 Benvoulin Road, Kelowna) Those unable to attend...