I say Syrah, you say Shiraz – and in South Africa, both names are used, though the choice often hints at style.
Some SA winemakers favour Syrah to signal an Old World influence, while Shiraz is more commonly seen across the country.
There are more varietal shirazes than any other varietal wine in South Africa. Some include a fashionable drop of viognier or mourvedre, or it could be a blend incorporating other varieties, including from France.
Shiraz thrives across South Africa’s wine regions, unconfined to any single terroir. Since 2013, the Shiraz SA Challenge has acted as the nation’s benchmark for this versatile grape, with results swaying from year to year depending on weather conditions – droughts or cold, wet winters as well as judges’ tastes for bold versus fresher expressions.
With that said, these are the nine best wine estates and farms to check out if you want to indulge in a proper Shiraz wine tasting.
Dining and Cooking