What Is Shiraz Wine? Taste, Style, Regions & Food Pairings

A bold, spicy, and one of those wines that you would savor long after the last sip, Shiraz is truly notable among wine lovers. But what is Shiraz wine, really? Is the difference just for naming purposes, or does it actually have significant differences from Syrah? Technically, a bit of both, making it such a compelling and interesting red to delve into. 

Wine explorers often are curious about the naming, and we're here to clear it out for you. Shiraz and Syrah are the same kind of grapes. The Old World regions refer to it as Syrah, where they make it leaner and earthy. While the New World Regions, like Australia and South Africa, refer to it as Shiraz, they're much richer and fruit-forward.

The contrast in style is what fascinates and keeps us going back. Syrah produced in the Rhône Valley of France would offer you peppery and savory notes, while an Australian Shiraz will offer you fruity notes like plum and a tinge of sweet spice. Same grape, two distinct personalities. In this blog, we'll cover more about this topic and provide you with some product recommendations to enjoy.

What Is Shiraz Wine?

To put it simply, Shiraz is a type of red wine made from Syrah grapes, one of the most renowned red grape varietals in the world. Traditionally, it was always referred to as Syrah by the Old World Regions; however, the New World regions like Australia and South Africa adopted the term Shiraz, while Old World regions such as France continue to use Syrah. Ultimately, it's the same variety of grapes, just showcased differently. 

Shiraz tends to be more fruit-forward and bold in its flavor profile. You get fruity notes from blueberry, blackberry, and plum, with underlying notes of sweet spice. Syrah is much leaner and restrained, on the other hand. It holds earthy, pepper notes and has a savoury structured backbone attesting to its Old World roots. 

The contrast is part of the grape's charm. The exact same variety can showcase such a vast difference depending on where it's grown and how it was made. Exploring the difference in flavor profile is one of the best ways to appreciate the Shiraz spectrum.

Shiraz Taste & Flavor Profile

Shiraz is not afraid of making a bold statement from the very first sip. It's bold, it's juicy with fruity notes of blackberry, plum, and blueberry coming forward. Once the fruity flavors settle down, your palate is pleasantly surprised by the savoury base and peppery notes, sometimes even followed by smoke or leather. This complex profile is what makes the wine progressively interesting with each sip. 

Shiraz tends to have some weight, too. It's typically full-bodied, with firm tannins, and a punch of alcohol that gives it that power burst without losing the balance of flavors. The structure is part of the reason this wine pairs well with hearty meals; it is the type of wine that won’t be shoved to the side.

It's fascinating how Shiraz changes over time. A young bottle would have raw, bursting fruity notes followed by spice. An older bottle would have these nuanced, earthy tones. The sharper flavors and the tannins soften and mellow out into a truly divine wine. This flavor transformation is the reason why collectors prefer to stock up a few bottles in their wine cabinet.

Best Shiraz Regions Around the World

Shiraz has spread its branches further than France. Today, it is one of the most prominent red grape varietals known and grown in vineyards across the world. Each nation adds its own touch through its unique climate, soil, and winemaking culture. Exploring the best Shiraz is how you'd know how versatile and expressive it is.  

Australia: Barossa Valley & McLaren Vale

Australia seems to be one of the top ones on the list when it comes to the best Shiraz regions. Australians make it bold and powerful with rich notes of dark fruits, chocolate, and spice bursting through your palate in each sip. The Barossa Valley and the McLaren Vale are some of the best regions producing this beauty.    

France: Northern Rhône (Syrah)

In France, the grapes are known as Syrah, and you'd find no place better than the Northern Rhône. The wines here are a real statement of elegance. Regions like Hermitage and Côte-Rôtie are known to produce beautifully structured, peppery wines that age heavenly. It is truly the Old World at its finest.

South Africa: Stellenbosch & Swartland 

South Africa has marked its spot in the Shiraz realms by forming the best of both worlds. They combine the fruity, bursty notes of the New World wines and the savory, smoky base of the Old World. It's this duality that makes the South African Shiraz distinctive among the best Shiraz regions today. 

United States: California & Washington 

Don't count the U.S. out in serving up some amazing Shiraz, especially in California and Washington. They are usually fruit-forward and rich, and sometimes combined with Grenache and Mourvèdre to produce a complex Northern Rhône-style blend. An approachable style and a leading reputation have earned the American Shiraz a spot amongst the best Shiraz in the world.

Shiraz Food Pairings That Work Every Time

Shiraz delivers some serious bold flavors, so it needs a pairing that can hold its own ground, too. Rich notes like those of dark fruits, tannins, and spice, this wine appreciates a solid, hearty meal, packed with robust flavors. It doesn’t just liven up your plate but also that glass. 

Meats

Anything charred and grilled is a great pairing with Shiraz. Be it BBQ Ribs, grilled lamb, steak, or venison. The smoky char and rich flavors of the meat seem to stand firm against the bold structure and peppery notes of Shiraz.  

Spicy Dishes

Pepper-crusted meats or Moroccan tagines are a lovely pair with Shiraz. Shiraz’s natural spice will complement your seasoning while its body will smooth out the heat.

Cheeses

An undefeated classic pairing: Wine and cheese. Aged cheddar and Blue cheese go really well with Shiraz as the sharp flavors and creamy texture balance out the wine's fruitiness and spice quite amazingly.   

Vegetarian

Earthy flavors like the ones offered by roasted mushrooms, lentil stew, or eggplant echo a similar, dark note to Shiraz. These plant-based dishes cater to the savory aspect of Shiraz. 

Shiraz Serving Temperature & Glassware Tips

You wouldn’t expect the difference it makes when Shiraz is served right. If you serve it too warm, the alcohol would get overbearing; on the other hand, if you serve it too cold, the nuanced notes can seem to get lost. Optimally, you're supposed to serve it at about 60-65°. This keeps the base lively and structured, and the fruit and spice bursty. 

Younger bottles require a little bit of aeration to open up their flavors. A simple decant for about an hour or two gets the wine aerated, softening the flavors, making it smoother and much more approachable. Older Shiraz needs a gentler approach. A simple pour into the decanter works great to filter out the sediments without disrupting the delicate characteristics of the wine. 

Glassware plays quite a crucial role, too. A wide-mouthed, large Bordeaux-style glass works the best. It allows better airflow and emphasizes the complexity of the wine. The wide-mouthed opening allows you to experience the aromas while sipping on the wine, thereby improving the overall experience. With the proper glassware, temperature, and a bit of time to aerate, your experience is about to be transcended to the next level.

WHWC Somm Picks: Top Shiraz Wines to Try in 2025

When it comes to Shiraz, nothing is single-dimensional, and exploring across regions is the only way to appreciate its full character. Our somm team at WHWC pulled together a selection of a few standout bottles that showcase the many styles of Shiraz grape, from full-bodied Australian classics to the more sophisticated cool-climate expressions. Here are our recommendations for the best Shiraz in 2025.

• Nietschke (Kalleske) Shiraz Barossa Valley Jack 2021: An extravagant mix of blackberry and plum with an oak polish. A classic Barossa Shiraz that is satisfyingly rich while being very approachable.
• John Duval Shiraz Barossa Valley Eligo 2016: Deep violet wine that’s packed with dark fruit, licorice, and spice. Plenty of structure and very age-worthy, perfect for folks who want to expand their collection.
• Penfolds Shiraz South Australia Grange 2016: The quintessential Shiraz. Powerful, with concentrated berries and oak, and spice. A benchmark Shiraz, designed to be cellar-aged for decades.
• Bremerton Shiraz Langhorne Creek Old Adam 2015: Smoky and bold with blue/black fruit and firm tannins. A traditional style Shiraz full of character.
• Clonakilla Shiraz O’Riada Canberra District 2022: An excellent cooler-climate expression. Loaded with florals, cherry, and fine tannins. A lighter, nuanced take on Shiraz.

FAQs About Shiraz Wine

What does Shiraz wine taste like?

Because of its structure and bold characteristics, Shiraz has always been compared to Cabernet Sauvignon. However, the spice-forward qualities are often compared to those of Zinfandel. 

Is Shiraz a sweet wine or a dry wine?

Generally, Shiraz is pretty dry. However, because of its ripe fruit characteristics, it can often seem much more lush and jammy, especially in warmer climate regions.

What’s the difference between Shiraz and Syrah?

They are produced by the same kind of grapes. The primary distinction is due to the region.

Syrah is the Old World name, while Shiraz is the term commonly used in New World regions. 

How long can Shiraz age for?

Shiraz that are of higher quality can be easily allowed to age for 10-20 years. During aging, it develops a complex layered flavor profile consisting of leather, spice, and earthiness. A more approachable form of Shiraz should be consumed within 3-5 years max. 

What is the best Shiraz for beginners?

Try out the Australian Shiraz from the Barossa Valley or McLaren Vale. With its ripe fruit characteristics, it's much smoother and easier to enjoy without needing years for cellaring.

Why Shiraz Deserves a Place in Your Cellar

Shiraz is much more than just any other bold red. It offers something for every occasion. Be it smoky Rhône Syrah or one of the rich Barossa classics, Shiraz is very versatile, making it one of the most rewarding grapes to explore. With its layered notes and complexity, its bold characteristics can either be enjoyed young or after letting it gracefully age for a while.

At Woodland Hills Wine Company, we take pride in sourcing Shiraz from some of the top-notch regions in the world, providing you with some of the most iconic ones and the hidden gems. Building your cellar, or just a selection for the dinner table, we've got you covered. Explore WHWC’s Shiraz collection and taste the bold character of this world-class red today.