Syrah Pairings

Instead of oxtail, the dish uses just beef shank. Fresh pappardelle from a store replaces the house-made kind.

Pairing: 2009 Waters Loess Syrah

This grilled lamb is Silvena Rowe's signature dish at Quince in London. It can be set out on a buffet, or sliced and served in grilled flatbread with dilled yogurt and cucumbers.

Pairing: 2009 Peay Vineyards Les TItans Estate Syrah

This recipe is also delicious using Angostura in place of the homemade Woodland Bitters.

Pairing: 2010 Kingston Family Vineyards Lucero Syrah

Jason Franey serves lamb two ways (as a ragout and as chops) with two sides (potato puree and Israeli couscous). But the ragout and couscous are amazing on their own, and less work to make.

Pairing: 2011 Saint Cosme Côtes-du-Rhône

Traditional Carolina barbecue begins with a whole hog smoked over coals; here, Sean Brock cooks pork shoulder for 12 hours in a 275° oven before smoking it for about 1 hour in a backyard grill.

Pairing: 2009 Novy Family Winery Syrah

"I was a student in Beijing during World War II," says chef Cecilia Chiang. "To flee occupied China, I walked with my sister to Chongqing; it took close to six months. Crossing different provinces, I found out the foods are quite different. In the north, for instance, people eat a lot of sorghum, millet and wheat instead of rice. In Shanghai homes, this stir-fried cabbage-and-pork recipe is typical."

Pairing: 2010 The Infinite Monkey Theorem Syrah

To serve with his succulent beef rib eye roast, Tim Hollingsworth prepared a surprisingly simple garnish of sautéed brussels sprout leaves, which he mixed with chestnuts and seasoned with ground Sichuan peppercorns.

Pairing: 2009 Craggy Range Le Sol Gimblett Gravels Vineyard Syrah

Gently braised in red wine until tender, this octopus is simmered in a rich, robust sauce that would be wonderful with a chewy, mouth-filling red wine.

Pairing: 2010 Bedrock Wine Co. Hudson Vineyard South T'n'S Blocks

This is one of Ethan Stowell's go-to dishes when he entertains, because he can do almost all of the work in advance. The marinade is super-flavorful, but if you don't like very spicy food, cut back on the red jalapeños.

Pairing: 2009 Gramercy Cellars Syrah