There's a town in Iran called Shiraz and they (Shirazians, Shirazites?) were known for their wine (could still be known for their wine, I have to admit my knowledge of Iran is limited and I've had exactly 0 bottles of Iranian wine in my life).
This, combined with the various names for Syrah, lead to the belief that it came from Iran via the Romans.
Not true.
Syrah is a native french grape, a cross between two almost extinct grape varietals: Duerza and Mondeuse Blanche happening sometime around the 1st century.
The romans DID indeed seem to like this grape and it seems that the grape migrated from the lower Rhone to the upper Rhone and across southern France, wherever the Romans were. Now, let's fast forward through history:
* In the late 1600's the French Huguenot's fled france for South Africa taking grapes with them.
* In the mid 1800s Syrah had established itself in Northern Rhone in villages such as Hermitage and the great debate began on who produced the best wine: Bordeaux or Northern Rhone. British investors were the catalyst for such a debate.
* In 1831 a Scotsman by the name of James Busby took grapes to Australia, among those: Syrah
* During the 1970's California producers become interested in the grape
* Early 80's winemaker David Lake suggested that the owners of Red Willow Vineyard in Washington State get a few vines of syrah from Joseph Phelps in Napa.
* During the late 90's Syrah/Shiraz took off; including finding a home in Washington.
Syrah/Shiraz (and just so we're clear, Shiraz is a bastardization of Syrah--but call it whatever you want) is now grown in over 20 countries, it's the third mostly planted red wine grape in the world and is to Washington what Cabernet is to California.
It's come a long way with a confusing history--but sadly it seems to be loosing steam due to it's over-popularity.
But more plantings of Syrah in Argentina, Chile, Spain and Italy are piquing people's interest. One is also seeing critics raving about Northern Rhone wines in the same breath as Bordeaux. And, finally, if you read a wine rag and flip to the Washington section the dominate grape? Syrah.
Next: Syrahs to try
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