Level 2 · Wine & Spirits Exam Prep
Syrah and Shiraz
From the peppery northern Rhône to bold Australian Shiraz.
Topics covered
- Northern Rhône
- Barossa Valley
- South Africa
- Cool vs warm climate
Level 2 Study Guide
Bordeaux-Style Reds
Quick Revision
- Syrah = Shiraz (same grape)
- Full body, high tannin, black pepper
- N. Rhône (Hermitage/Côte-Rôtie): savoury, peppery
- Côte-Rôtie: co-fermented with Viognier
- Barossa (Australia): ripe, chocolate, blackberry
- Black pepper = rotundone compound
Key Facts for the Exam
- Same grape: Syrah in France and Europe; Shiraz in Australia, South Africa, and broadly New World
- Full body, high tannin, medium-high acidity; black pepper, violets, dark fruit (Northern Rhône style)
- Northern Rhône (Hermitage, Côte-Rôtie): savoury, peppery, meaty, dark plum; long-lived
- Côte-Rôtie: Syrah co-fermented with small amount of white Viognier — adds perfume and stabilises colour
- Barossa Valley (Australia): ripe, full-bodied Shiraz with blackberry, chocolate, mocha, eucalyptus
- McLaren Vale (Australia): rich, fruit-forward style; South Africa also produces excellent Shiraz
Level 2 Exam Tips
- 1.The SAME GRAPE = Syrah/Shiraz — this is a fact the exam tests every year.
- 2.Northern Rhône Syrah is savoury and peppery; Australian Shiraz is ripe and fruit-forward — clear contrast.
- 3.Côte-Rôtie co-fermentation with Viognier is a distinctive winemaking technique worth memorising.
- 4.Black pepper aroma in Syrah/Shiraz comes from a compound called rotundone — examiners love this.
Common Exam Mistakes
- ✗Treating Syrah and Shiraz as different grape varieties — they are identical grapes
- ✗Describing Australian Shiraz as savoury and peppery — that is the Northern Rhône style, not Barossa
- ✗Forgetting Côte-Rôtie is in the Northern Rhône — not Southern Rhône like Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why is the same grape called Syrah in France but Shiraz in Australia?
- The grape originated in the Rhône Valley of France, where it is called Syrah. When vines were taken to Australia in the 19th century, they became known as Shiraz — the name stuck. Today both names are used depending on the winemaker's preference and the intended style, with "Syrah" often signalling a more European, savoury approach and "Shiraz" a riper, New World style.