Petite Sirah is not just a more “petite” version of Syrah (or Shiraz), it’s a distinct grape variety. They are not the same grape and they do deliver similar Petite Sirah wines are often, massive, intense, chewy, masculine wines that when they are young, provide massive amounts of tannin and high levels of acidity. Petite Sirah earned its name from its small berry size. Syrah, also known as Shiraz, is a dark-skinned grape variety grown throughout the world and used primarily to produce red wine. It is worth noting that this is all personal preference. Today it is found primarily in California and Australia, but there are a few other regions producing wines with the grape.Occasionally winemakers in the Rhône Valley refer to a native grape that grows alongside their beloved Syrah as "Petite Syrah" this should not be confused with the Petite Sirah varietal.Petite Sirah is rich in fruit flavors and high in tannins. What this suggests is that well-made Petite Sirah can be as appealing as true Syrah, especially to tasters who appreciate a generous and robust red wine.

By continuing to use this site, you consent to this. ), J. Runquist, and Tomero. Australia has the second largest amount of acreage devoted to Petite Sirah, with close to 1,000 planted acres.Petite Sirah makes a powerful, fruity, hardy, dense and often tannic wine which really pairs perfectly with a wide variety of big dishes. Because the berries are small, the ratio of skin to juice is much different than with other varietals, resulting in a high amount of tannins. The first wineries to do so were Concannon and the original Souverain, both from the 1961 vintage. The reason so many vineyards were planted to Petite Sirah in the 1930’s was the grape was immensely popular with home winemakers during Prohibition.However, the amount of the grape planted across America was almost cut in half by the late 1960’s when only 4,289 acres were devoted to the varietal.

Those special old vines gives the fruit incredible concentration and density of flavor! In general, this vineyard produces finesse-driven Petite Sirah, but the yields loosened up the structure slightly more than normal.

But today, the only recognized spelling for the grape is Petite Sirah.It’s not only the spelling that has changed for Petite Sirah over the years, so has the amount of acres planted to grape. Petite Sirah, on the other hand, is an entirely different grape than Syrah/Shiraz, although it sometimes gets confused because Sirah is pronounced the same as Syrah. To learn about our These wines have intense color that will stain anything they touch.

The rocky soils in these vineyards combined with the cool growing season and diligence in the vineyard produced a Petite Sirah that is intensely colored and packed full of boysenberry and blueberry jam characteristics. Petite Sirah (aka Durif) is a different grape variety and is the genetic offspring of Syrah and the more rare Peloursin. Petite Sirah has deep rich flavors and aromas of blueberry, chocolate, pepper and spice, and its high tannins and acidity make it great for pairing with curries, as well as rich meaty dishes.

Beyond California, Petit Sirah is produced in the Carmel and Tishbi regions of Israel as Petite Sirah. It was most likely the result of an accidental crossing of Syrah and Peloursi. Petite Sirah is one of the biggest, most powerful and tannic wines produced in America. I happen to love the wines from the Clarksburg and Healdsburg areas.Viticulturalist Francois de Castella brought Petite Sirah to Australia in 1908 with Durif. © Copyright 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020. For years, Petite Sirah continued gaining in popularity in the Napa Valley before eventually falling from favor.Today, several California producers make wine from 100% Petite Sirah, while others use it as a blending grape with Like many grape varietals, Petite Sirah is best when the fruit comes from old vines. Through DNA testing, we now know that Petite Sirah is actually the offspring of Syrah: the Syrah grape was once crossed with another grape, called Peloursin (which is nearly identical to another varietal called Durif), to create the grape that we know as Petite Syrah.

The style and flavor profile of wines made from Syrah are influenced by the climate where the grapes are grown with moderate climates tending to produce It is easy to see how the grape developed an identity crisis!Its name should not fool you: just because the grape is called “petite” doesn’t mean that its flavors are small: Petite Sirah has the potential to be one of the most full bodied grapes. Join Firstleaf to taste delicious wines from all over the world and learn more about these grapes.

1. Adding to the confusion is the fact that the rest of the world calls Petite Sirah by its original name: Durif.
Expect aromas of blueberries surrounded with aromas of acacia flowers and graphite.

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