The world celebrates International Syrah Day, or World Syrah Day, every year on February 16. It is the most widely planted variety in Australia, where it is known as Shiraz and celebrated as International Shiraz Day on the fourth Thursday in July.
The Rhône Valley region of France is, by some, the original growing area for Syrah grapes dating back to the 1800s. Syrah is now that region’s main variety and is used to make some of the world’s most sought-after full-bodied red wines. Syrah is Australia’s most famous red grape varietal and California’s most widely planted Rhône varietal.
It wasn’t until 1998 that UC Davis Researchers Carole Meredith and John Bowers discovered the grape is a cross between two obscure grape varieties Dureza and Mondeuse Blanche. The research is published in Acta Horticulurae.
Here are some of Syrah’s numbers:
- There are about 470,000 acres of Syrah grapes planted in the world. Syrah is considered the fifth-most planted wine grape. (OIV, 2017)
- Syrah grapes are grown in 31 counties. The top five producers of Syrah are France, Australia, Spain, South Africa, and the United States. (OIV, 2017)
- France produces a total of 158,147 acres of Shiraz, making it the country with the most extensive planting of Syrah. (OIV, 2017)
- Australia’s largest share of its vineyard acreage is planted with Syrah (known there as Shiraz) grapes, almost 27% of its total vineyard area (OIV, 2017)
- California has 14,508 acres of Syrah. (California Grape Acreage Report, 2021)
- The four counties in California with the most acreage dedicated to growing Syrah are San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles, Madera, and San Joaquin County. (California Grape Acreage Report, 2021)
- In 2021, Washington state’s Syrah grape production was almost 21,000 tons, a 15% increase from 2020. (Washington Grape Production Report, 2021)
- Syrah is Oregon’s third most widely planted red grape variety, with 1,739 acres. (Oregon Vineyard and Winery Report, 2021)
- Texas produces a total of 80 acres of Syrah, less than the 160 acres reported the year before. (USDA, 2020)
Syrah has small berries with a deep red color. Its concentrated flavor and higher tanning produce a full-bodied wine. The climate strongly influences the style and taste of the wine. Syrah is used as a single varietal in Australia and more of a blended grape in France, Italy, and Spain.
As you celebrate Syrah’s contribution to the wine world, keep these numbers in mind or share them with your customers, colleagues, or friends.
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