Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is Syrah the same as Shiraz?
Yes. They are genetically identical, and the name usually tells you which style the producer is working in. Syrah points to the cooler, peppery Northern Rhône tradition, and Shiraz points to the riper style that Australia made famous.
2. What does Syrah wine taste like?
Black fruit is the constant. Cooler sites add cracked black pepper and a savoury, cured meat edge, while warmer sites give blackberry and sweet spice with a softer shape.
3. What food goes with Syrah?
Lamb is the reliable answer across every style. Northern Rhône bottles suit game and herb-heavy roasts, and riper Cape Syrah stands up to anything off a braai.
4. How long can you keep Syrah?
Good Northern Rhône Syrah rewards a decade or more, and top Cornas goes considerably further. Most Cape Syrah drinks beautifully inside five years.
5. What temperature should Syrah be served at?
Around 16 to 18 degrees, which is cooler than most South African rooms in summer. Twenty minutes in the fridge does more for a warm bottle than swirling ever will.
6. Do you stock Australian Shiraz?
Not at present. Our range is built around the Rhône Valley and South Africa, where we have direct relationships with the producers.