A Weather Guide for Syrah

By Ray Isle

Like all wines, Syrah offers different flavors and textures depending on the climate where the grapes are grown—unlike some wines, though, it can be delicious from a broad range of climates, too.

2008 Bedrock Wine Co. Hudson Vineyard Syrah Whole Cluster ($39). Photo Â© Carson Leh Photography/Bedrock Wine Co.

2008 Bedrock Wine Co. Hudson Vineyard Syrah Whole Cluster ($39). Photo © Carson Leh Photography/Bedrock Wine Co.

Cool Climate

Regions: Northern Rhône, France; Anderson Valley, California; Tasmania, Australia

Flavor Notes: Raspberry, smoke, violets

Wine Pick: 2007 Delas Les Launes Crozes-Hermitage ($22) Cool climates tend to emphasize the smoky and floral notes in Syrah, as with this streamlined, berry-inflected red from France's Northern Rhône Valley.

Moderate Climate

Regions: Stellenbosch, South Africa; Carneros, California; Coonawarra, Australia

Flavor Notes: Blackberry, black pepper

Wine Pick: 2008 Bedrock Wine Co. Hudson Vineyard Syrah Whole Cluster ($39) The warmth of Napa's Carneros region is cooled by breezes off San Pablo Bay. That means spicy, layered wines like this single-vineyard bottling.

Warm Climate

Regions: Sicily, Italy; Paso Robles, California; Barossa Valley, Australia

Flavor Notes: Blackberry jam, espresso

Wine Pick: 2008 Charles Cimicky Trumps Shiraz ($16) Australia's Barossa Valley, like other warm, inland regions, gives Syrah distinctively rich, ripe flavors. Cimicky's affordable bottling is a spot-on example of the style.