shiraz vs. syrah

[jessie]

I recently bought an Australian Shiraz (which I'm currently enjoying VERY MUCH), and have heard also of Syrahs - and now I'm curious:

Are these two different wines that are totally unrelated, or is there some similarity other than just the names sounding alike?

Thanks much,
jessie

[Catch 22]

They are the same grape. Down Under they call it Shiraz, elsewhere Syrah. This is not to be confused with Petite Syrah, which is a different variety altogether. All, or both, can be great stuff.

[This message has been edited by Catch 22 (edited 04-07-2000).]

[Innkeeper]

Catch22 got it right the easy way. For a full discourse on the subject scroll down to Rhone/South of France/Wines/Varieties.

[Thomas]

Don't forget the city in Iran--Shiraz--from which the grape is believed to have traveled to the Rhone, perhaps early Middle Ages, perehaps even earlier.

Iranians made some wonderful reds from it back in the 1970s.