Syrah, also called Shiraz, is a dark-skinned red wine grape that originated in the Rhône Valley of southeastern France, where it remains the defining grape of the Northern Rhône appellations Côte-Rôtie, Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, and Saint-Joseph. DNA analysis has shown it to be a natural cross of two obscure Rhône-region grapes, Dureza and Mondeuse Blanche, disproving older legends that linked it to the Persian city of Shiraz or to the Roman Emperor Probus.
Syrah wines are typically full-bodied, with flavors of blackberry, black pepper, and smoke; the peppery character comes from rotundone, a compound also found in black pepper. The grape ages well, developing more complex flavors over time.
Grown worldwide, Syrah is called Shiraz in Australia, where it's the country's most-planted red grape and tends toward a riper, fruit-forward style; it's also widely planted in California, Washington, and Oregon. Its bold tannins and peppery notes pair well with grilled or roasted lamb, beef, and game, and with spiced or Middle Eastern dishes.