Regarding the origin of the name shiraz: When syrah was first brought over to Australia from France it was recorded as "scyras", or "cyras" (James Busby used both terms, but never "shiraz"). Scyras was probably a common spelling back then and was likely pronounced "syrah". The use of scyras as a spelling persevered in Australia but in spoken use became the phonetic "shiraz", which ultimately became the spelling. The same thing happened in England in the 1830's, but the english reverted to the correct French spelling and pronounciation of Syrah from the mid-1800's onwards.
(The Iranian grape shirazi was white!)
Shiraz v Syrah
Reply from Sandro from Port Phillip and Kooyong
From our point of view, the is no real difference as they describe the same variety. The idea behind using Syrah for the Rimage was to indicate that the wine was closer to the old world and less `typical warmer climate Australian’ as you mention in your interpretation. Both of our wines are made using techniques which are closer to the old world and come from a climate closer to the northern Rhone so the connection makes sense. However, this is a very loose link and open to interpretation. The Estate wine is still called Shiraz simply because we haven’t changed it. I suspect that we will call both of our wines the same in the near future.
I wouldn’t want to see regulation as wine styles are very grey areas and it would be impossible to clearly define the terms. The same problem also goes for the whole Pinot Gris/Grigio debate.
I hope this is of assistance.
Sorry, not to have replied earlier.
Regards, Sandro
Cheers
Jamie
From our point of view, the is no real difference as they describe the same variety. The idea behind using Syrah for the Rimage was to indicate that the wine was closer to the old world and less `typical warmer climate Australian’ as you mention in your interpretation. Both of our wines are made using techniques which are closer to the old world and come from a climate closer to the northern Rhone so the connection makes sense. However, this is a very loose link and open to interpretation. The Estate wine is still called Shiraz simply because we haven’t changed it. I suspect that we will call both of our wines the same in the near future.
I wouldn’t want to see regulation as wine styles are very grey areas and it would be impossible to clearly define the terms. The same problem also goes for the whole Pinot Gris/Grigio debate.
I hope this is of assistance.
Sorry, not to have replied earlier.
Regards, Sandro
Cheers
Jamie
Lets just say I have never had a wine I've hated, but there are some I would rather not taste again....