Dear friends, we would like to announce the commencement of cycle of stories and reviews of different types of wine from all over the world, but mainly the ones from our SAVALAN range. Today the centerpiece of our talk is Syrah, one of the most ancient grape varieties. Syrah or Shiraz (as it is called in the New World countries) is a dark cherry colored dry red wine produced from the grape variety of the same name. There are different opinions on the origin of that wine. However, the most common one is that Syrah originally came from France, more specifically – from Côtes du Rhône, the southeast of the country, one of the twelve key wine regions of France.

 

To this day the total area of Syrah plantings in the world is approximately half a million acres, which is comparable to the size of Baku city. What is special about this grape is its resistance to various climatic conditions. Thus, it is no surprise that Syrah has spread across the globe – from the New to the Old word countries.

 

Given the opportunity to travel the world, we had a chance to personally taste various Syrah wines. Our observations led us to a thought that almost all wines of this grape have an intense and rich flavor, while their taste profile varies significantly in different countries. Based on personal experience, we would like to focus on three of the most common wines of this grape variety, produced in France, the USA and Australia.

 

France

 

The majority of French Syrah is notable for its spicy flavor with a hint of pepper. A taste of black currant and ripe black cherries covered with a smoky-peppery trail can be found in these Syrah. In our opinion, red French wines of that grape are pretty smooth and could be a great pair for different chef-d’oeuvres of French cuisine, especially with duck roasted in cherry sauce or lamb stew.

 

USA

 

As for California, where American Syrah is grown, we were treated to a completely dissimilar interpretation of Syrah. In American Syrahs a rich and ripe berry flavour is more pronounced than in French Syrahs. Blackcurrant, raspberry and even fig, harmonized exquisitely with a strong oak taste, create a beautiful symphony of flavours in these wines. If you ever get to try American Syrah, be sure to enjoy it with barbecue, medium-rare steak or beef with a spicy sauce.

 

Australia

 

Australian Shiraz (as it is called in the New World countries) is the most experimental one, from our perception. Here’s why: these wines have distinct notes of sweet berries, which is typical of French Syrah, while most Australian winemakers prefer American oak barrels, which gives the wines a spicy, slightly smoky hue. During the degustation, Australian Shiraz pleasantly surprised us with the aroma of dark chocolate and pepper. Last but not least, the alcohol level in local wines is higher than in French and American ones, thanks to the hot climate of Australian terroirs.

 

But what about Azerbaijan?

 

There is obviously a reason why we decided to raise a Syrah topic in our blog – our region is also a great spot for grapes of that type. Azerbaijani Syrahs, compared to the ones from France, are infused with sweet berries and fruits flavor and the spicy aroma of spices, which is more typical of Syrah from the New World. Well, the explanation for that is pretty simple – it is all about a hot southern climate, which adds intensity and character to the wine.

You probably wonder – how one describes a typical Syrah from Azerbaijan? In our view, this is a full-bodied wine with intense tannins. Compared to similar wines from other countries,ours has a stronger aroma of dark berries, such as black plum or blackberry. Moreover, Azerbaijani Syrah has a fairly balanced structure, which successfully reveals the flavour palette of local cuisine. Let’s dwell on this a little more.

 

Our dark ruby Syrah can hardly be called universal, since such a piquant range of flavors cannot make a pair with literally any dish. Luckily, 80% of Azerbaijani cuisine consists of juicy meat courses with a high fat content that match perfectly with Syrah!

 

When bringing up Syrah, we must mention one of the signature Azerbaijani dishes called «dolma». This meal embodies the combination of fresh herbs, spices and intense meat taste. Dolma consists of stuffed grape leaves filled with a mixture of finely chopped or minced meat (usually lamb or beef), rice and aromatic herbs, such as cilantro, mint and dill. The main feature of Azerbaijani dolma is the use of grape leaves, which give the former a subtle sourness and aroma. This dish is perhaps one of our favourites from Azerbaijani cuisine. As for a glass of Syrah, it is truly the best companion for dolma on all counts.

 

It is astonishing how such a hearty dish like dolma loses its heaviness thanks to the texture of Syrah. The tannins of the wine soften the greasiness of the dish, giving lightness and sophistication in taste perception. What is more, Syrah reveals the flavour of grape leaves in dolma in a special way, making it more tender and fragrant. Please heed a piece of our advice – if you plan to taste Azerbaijani cuisine in the near future, do not forget about the “table-book” of such a meal – SAVALAN Syrah. This exquisite red wine will properly complement the taste of dishes and emphasize its gastronomic splendor!

 

We wish you bon appetite and hope you will experience wonderful emotions from tasting Syrah!

 

Best regards,

Fuad Seyidaliev and Arif Rahimov

Founders and Co-owners of SAVALAN-ASPI Winery