Paula Goddard’s Wines of the Week starting 25th February 2020
Shiraz and Syrah are the same grape variety, just grown somewhere with a different naming system. In France the grape is called Syrah, while in the new world it’s called Shiraz.
Nobody is quite sure why the spelling changed when immigrants took cuttings of Syrah grape vines down-under but it’s probably down to the fact that, until this century, most people couldn’t write, and the few that were able to did so using a spelling system based on how they heard the word being pronounced. Or possibly how they saw someone else spelling it, or even if they just felt like trying out a few alternatives now and again. Just think of the many ways William Shakespeare spelt his name – or is that Bill Shackspar?
PG Wine Reviews
Sainsbury’s Sullivan’s Creek Shiraz 2018
£5.25 Sainsbury’s
Plum, cherry and nutmeg.
Majestic Loves Australian Shiraz 2018
£6.99 Majestic
From Majestic’s own-label range, this Aussie Shiraz isn’t the best version around but it does have lots of blackberry and cinnamon flavours.
McWilliams Off The Press Shiraz Tempranillo 2017
£9 Co-op
Juicy blackberry flavours.
Co-op Irresistible Shiraz 2018 , Australia
£7 Co-op
Concentrated and creamy – plum and cherry.
Le Versant Syrah 2018, France
£9.99 Smeda Wines, £11.99 Kwoff
A deep purple wine with flavours of plum, cherry, milk chocolate and a touch of cinnamon.
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