The Syrah wine is of course just one of many excellent Valais red wines that we stock in our range.
In our online store you will also find a large selection of white wines, rosé wines, sparkling wines and digestifs. If you are looking for a gift, we recommend the various tasting boxes from our gift service, for example, or a gift voucher, which gives the recipient a free choice in our online store.
The most important facts about the Syrah grape variety at a glance
Syrah and Shiraz are two names for one and the same grape variety.
Syrah is the French name, while overseas it is usually called Shiraz.
Wines made from the Syrah grape can produce very soft, fruity wines.
However, there are also very concentrated Syrah / Shiraz wines that can develop complex tertiary aromas of chocolate, meaty notes, dried fruit, leather and forest floor over time in the bottle.
Balsamia is mentioned in the context of the Syrah grape as it is grown in various regions such as the Rhone Valley in France, South Africa, Australia, the USA and Canada.
France and Australia are known as the main growing areas for Syrah / Shiraz wine.
In France alone, around 36% of the world’s 185,000 hectares of vineyards are used for this grape variety.
In the New World, primarily in South Africa, Australia, the USA and Canada, the labels of these red wines bear the name Shiraz because the wines in these warm growing regions are typically full-bodied and high in alcohol with ripe aromas of cooked black fruits and licorice.
Syrah red wines, which are produced in the temperate climate of the northern Rhône in France, usually have a medium body with aromas of fresh black fruits such as black cherry and blackberry as well as herbal notes and aromas of black pepper.
Origin, origins & significance of Syrah wines
The Syrah / Shiraz red wine variety is said to originate from Persia.
The Syrah / Shiraz grape variety is a cross between the Dureza and Mondeuse Blanche varieties, which were originally cultivated mainly in the Rhone Valley in France. 
The Dureza grape variety originally comes from the northern part of the French département of Ardèche, which lies to the right of the Rhône river.
From there, the grape variety spread mainly to the valleys of the Drôme and Isère.
Today it is almost extinct.
Mondeuse Blanche is a traditional grape variety from Savoy and is now cultivated on a few hectares of land in the AOC Vin de Savoie and VDQS Vin du Bugey areas. 
Syrah is the only dark grape variety in the French Rhône valley that is permitted for AOC wines in the region.
In the northern Rhône, the river valley is very narrow and the best sites are located on steep slopes.
This makes cultivating the vineyards very difficult.
The best-known sites along the Rhône river are the AOC Côte Rôtie and the high-class AOC Hermitage appellation.
In the north, winegrowers produce single-varietal wines, while in the south, blends – also known as cuvées – of several varieties, especially Grenache, are the trump card.
In Australia, the Shiraz grape variety is the most commonly cultivated grape variety.
A large proportion of the vineyards are located in the warm inland regions, where most of the grapes are bottled for inexpensive mass brands.
The warm Barossa Valley region in the federal state of South Australia is home to some of the oldest Shiraz vines in the world.
They produce correspondingly low yields of very concentrated fruit.
In New South Wales, in the Hunter Valley region
Syrah in Valais
The red wine variety Syrah came to Valais in Switzerland in 1926.
It is seen here as a traditional grape variety that is reserved for the Grand Cru designation.
In Valais viticulture, the Syrah variety is mostly vinified on exposed slopes.
Since its introduction, it has experienced a growing boom.
While it makes few demands on care in the Valais vineyard, vinification demands a great deal from the cellar master, even more than the vinification of Cabernet Sauvignon, for example, if the wine is to be not just good, but great.
It requires a great deal of attention during the long, cool fermentation and careful, rather long ageing in oak barrels.
The importance of Syrah: a popular grape variety worldwide
With 185,000 hectares under cultivation, the Syrah / Shiraz grape variety is one of the top 10 most popular grape varieties in the world and is the fourth most cultivated red wine grape variety in the world after the frontrunner Cabernet Sauvignon, followed by Merlot and Tempranillo. 
In Switzerland, the Syrah grape variety is cultivated on an area of around 200 hectares.
And yet, according to the most renowned wine critics, the Valais Syrah need not shy away from even the greatest international Syrah / Shiraz wines.
This is impressively demonstrated by the title of one of the three best Syrahs in the world, awarded to the Syrah Diego Mathier AOC Valais, whose label bears the winemaker’s nose on the bottle.
In the regions of South Tyrol/Trentino and in the famous wine-growing regions of the New World, Napa Valley, Sonoma, Santa Barbara and Barossa Valley, the Syrah grape variety demonstrates its versatile adaptability and underlines the importance of geographical location and relationships for the quality of the wine.
Characteristics of the Syrah grape: growth, ripeness and yield
The small, deep black-blue, tannin-rich and sweet berries produce large, very concentrated and noble wines in the best locations, which only develop their characteristic bouquet of raspberries and violets after several years of ripening.
Powerful and elegant, Syrah wines have a shelf life of five to ten years.
The shoot tip of this variety is green and heavily covered with white hairs.
The buds of the vines, with their strong, upright growth habit, usually sprout late.
This makes the grape variety relatively insensitive to frost.
The grapes of this red wine are also largely immune to disease. 
The leaves are medium-sized, pentagonal, slightly blistered, with five lobes and few notches.
The leaf margin is only slightly notched and the petiole is V-shaped.
The clusters are medium-sized, medium-dense and cylindrical in shape, often with one to three medium-sized secondary clusters.
The berries are small and have a thick skin.
They are elongated in shape, blue-black in color, strongly fragrant and have soft and juicy flesh.
The yield of the grapes is medium to high.
In order to achieve a good ripening of the grapes, it is necessary to regulate the yields.
In unfavorable weather, e.g. when there is too little sunshine, the grapes ripen poorly, resulting in both lower yields and an unpleasant taste due to the high tannin content, which is often described as green and unripe.
If there is a lot of sunshine during the ripening period, the variety can go from ripe to overripe very quickly, losing its acidity and fruity aroma.
Syrah / Shiraz flavor profile: aromas, tannins and acidity
The grape variety primarily produces a spicy, elegant and deep-colored wine with plenty of acidity and tannin.
This wine is known for being carried by racy tannins.
Syrah red wines generally have a medium to full body. 
The primary aromas, secondary aromas and tertiary aromas of Syrah wines
The primary aromas in this wine are dominated by black cherries, blackberries and pepper (compared to plums in Merlot and red cherries in Pinot Noir).
Secondary aromas often include vanilla, coconut, smoke and coffee, and occasionally chocolate.
Over the course of maturation in bottles, the flavor profile of this wine can be completed with aromas such as meaty notes, dried fruit, leather or a hint of forest floor. 
What are the synonyms for Syrah / Shiraz?
There are almost 100 different names for the Syrah Shiraz grape variety.
These testify to its worldwide origin.
Antournerein, Antournerein Noir, Antournerin, Anzher Muskatnyi, Arnitas, Balsamina, Biaune, Biaune Noir, Bione, Blaue Schiraz, Blaue Serine, Blaue Sirah, Blauer Syrah, Bragiola, Candive, Candive Noir, Caudive, Ciras, Costigliola, Costiola, Damas Noir du Puy de Dome, Damaszener Blau, di Santi, Entourneirein, Entournerein, Entournerin, Ermitage, Fresa Grossa, Hermitage, Hignin, Hignin Noir, Marsanne Noir, Marsanne Noire, Marzane Noir, Neiret di Saluzzo, Neiretta Cunese, Neiretta del Cuneese – Fassanese. 
Neiretta del Monregalese, Neiretta del Rosso, Neiretta dell’Albese, Neiretta di Saluzzo, Neiretto del Cuneese, Neiretto di Bene, Neiretto di Carru, Neiretto di Costigliole, Neiretto di Farigliano, Neiretto di Saluzzo, Nereta Piccola di Monre Galese, Neretta Cuneese, Neretta del Cuneese-Fassanese, Neretta del Monregalese, Neretta di Costigliole, Neretta di Saluzzo, Neretta Piccola, Neretta Piccola di Dogliani, Neretto del Beinale, Neretto di Dogliani, Neretto di Saluzzo, Petite Chiras, Petite Sirah, Petite Sirrah, Petite Syrah, Petite Syras, Plan de la Biaune, Plant de Biaune, Plant de la Bianne, Plant de la Biaune, Schiras, Schiraz, Scyras, Seraene, Sereine, Serene, Serenne, Serine, Serine Noir, Serine Noire, Serinne, Sevene, Shiras, Shiraz, Shyrac, Sira, Sirac, Sirah, Sirah de l’Ermitage, Sirah dell’Ermitaggio, Siriaca, Sirica, Sirrah, Syra, Syrac, Syrac de l’Ermitage, Syracuse, Syrah Crni, Zagarese, Zizak 
Syrah and food – our recommendations
You don’t need to be lucky to pair Syrah red wine with the right dish.
This red wine goes particularly well with dishes such as pasta with meat or fruity tomato sauce.
Syrah red wines also go very well with meat pies or risotto with mushrooms and herbs.
If the food is salty, it is advisable to choose a red wine with fewer tannins.
Syrah Diego is the perfect accompaniment to lamb and beef dishes as well as game and cheese dishes. 
Our Syrah red wine recommendations
Can you add the appropriate store element for each individual description here, Sascha?
Syrah Diego Mathier – the award-winning solitaire
Diego Mathier Syrah is grown on hot, sun-drenched terraces in Conthey, not far from the town of Sierre.
After the harvest, fermentation is carried out in Vinimatics in order to achieve optimum temperature control.
A Vinimatic is a closed fermentation tank with rotating paddles that are cooled from the outside with water.
These tanks maximize the extraction of the valuable grape juice during maceration. 
After fermentation, the Syrah Diego Mathier is aged for 15 months in new barriques before being bottled.
The Syrah produces a powerful, very colorful wine with black-red reflections.
When enjoyed young, it is wild and tart.
Over the years, it develops a spicy scent of violets and reseda, which transforms into pepper and game aromas over time.
At the peak of its maturity, it develops a harmonious taste that is simply fantastic.
Diego says his wine has an appearance like him: “Broad shoulders, an Adonis body and a long finish.”
Syrah Hospices – the short fermentation preserves the fruit
The Syrah Hospices is grown in Conthey on the humus-rich soil of a former marshland.
A short fermentation on the skins preserves the appreciable fruit in these red wines.
Tannins are only slightly dissolved.
It is then vinified traditionally in stainless steel tanks.
The Syrah Hospices presents itself in a ruby red color with violet reflections. 
The bouquet is reminiscent of dark berries and there is a hint of pepper on the nose.
The palate is full-bodied with an impressive maturity.
The long finish is supported by silky tannins.
It is very balanced immediately after bottling, but also has ageing potential in the bottle.
The slim, long bottle may be deceptive – the Hospices line is always a half-liter in 7 dl quality.
Syrah Les Pyramides – Dynasty of the Pyramids
In 1995, Diego Mathier created a new wine line with the “Pinot Noir Les Pyramides”.
Inspired by the pyramids of Salgesch, halfway along the vineyard path to Sierre.
At the foot of these pyramids rushes the mountain stream Raspille.
It is the language border between the Upper and Lower Valais.
These bizarre pyramids were formed by erosion over thousands of years.
This grandiose backdrop inspired Diego Mathier to create the labels for the “Les Pyramides” range.
Since 2007, this has also included the red wine Cornalin, the red wine Humagne Rouge and the red wine Syrah.
The white wines Petite Arvine, Amigne, Heida, Humagne Blanc and Viognier complete this line. 
Interesting facts about Syrah red wines
What does Shiraz wine taste like?
The Syrah wines we receive tend to be lean, stylish and spicy.
They have subtle woody notes and typical aromas such as cloves, cinnamon, pepper, earth or leather.
The alcohol content is rather moderate.
What is the difference between Shiraz and Syrah?
In the USA, Africa and Australia, the grape variety is known as Shiraz, but it is the same wine.
Syrah wines can be enjoyed as a single varietal wine or as a cuvée.
Winemakers often combine some Syrah with Cabernet Sauvignon or Garnacha.
Where is Syrah grown?
Most important Syrah growing regions France, Australia, Spain
Most famous regions Rhone, Barossa Valley
Flavor almost always dry
Significance in Germany small areas in Baden and Württemberg
Strong alcohol content, usually between 13 and 15%
How do you pronounce Syrah?
Sy-rah, plural: Sy-rahs.
