How Does Shiraz Wine Taste? (vs Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon)

Shiraz is an expressive red wine grape that produces a bold wine with an intense flavor profile and complex tasting notes similar to that of Pinot Noir or Malbec.

It is one of the most planted grapes in Australia. 

How does Shiraz wine taste compared to Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon? What’s the difference between Shiraz and Syrah wine?

Explore all this and the best food pairing ideas and serving recommendations for Shiraz wine in this article.

How Does Shiraz Wine Taste?

Shiraz wine features a beautiful deep-red hue with an intense flavor and a bold palate of black pepper, dark fruit, rich red fruit, and earthy flavors.

On the nose, it has a strong blackberry and oak aroma with faint hints of ripe fruit.

On the palate, Shiraz wine has a beautiful length that is characterized by tobacco, black olives, red fruit, and earthy flavors of truffle, coffee, and eucalyptus. 

But how is it different from Syrah wine?

Shiraz vs. Syrah Wine Taste

Shiraz and Syrah are essentially the same grape variety with different names.

• The Shiraz grape grows in New World wine regions like Australia. Shiraz wine is more juicy and lush with low tannin, fruity flavors, and medium acidity. 
• The Syrah grape variety is typically grown in colder climates. It hails from Rhone valley in France and produces savoury, more robust high acidity wines. Syrah wine is generally very bold, with notes of black pepper, black fruit, and plum.

How does Shiraz compare to other popular red wines?

Shiraz Vs Merlot And Cabernet Sauvignon Wine

Here’s how Shiraz wine differs from Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. 

1. Shiraz Vs. Merlot Wine

Merlot wines have a sweeter, more feminine palate than Shiraz. 

The Merlot grape is a cross between Cabernet Franc and Magdeleine Noire grapes. The Shiraz grape variety is a cross between two varieties - the Dureza and Mondeuse Blanche.

The Merlot grape produces a medium-bodied red wine with low tannin, higher residual sugar content, and citrus fruit notes. In contrast, Shiraz boasts a very robust flavor profile that is better suited for more sophisticated palates.

2. Shiraz Vs Cabernet Sauvignon Wine

Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon are both thick-skinned red grape varieties. 

Similar to Shiraz wine, Cabernet Sauvignon has an intense flavour and high acidity. Cabernet Sauvignon is a dominant red wine grape variety and produces a structured, full bodied wine style similar to that of the Shiraz grape. 

While Shiraz wine may boast aromas of sweet spice, black pepper, and smoky accents, Cabernet Sauvignon has a strong fruit nose consisting of black cherry, mint, and cassis. 

Let’s find out how to serve the sensational Shiraz wine.

Shiraz Wine: Food Pairings, Serving Tips & Aging Potential

Due to its intense flavor and sweet spice aroma, this full bodied wine goes well with red meat, roasted vegetables, stew, and pasta dishes. 

Serve it chilled at around 60-65°F (15.5-18.3°C) and balance this dry wine with saucy meats or barbecued ribs. 

This sweet red wine pairs well with strong, bold cheeses. Try blue cheese or Roquefort, but avoid delicate cheeses and seafood dishes.

As for aging potential, most Shiraz wines can be aged for 5 to 7 years, while you can cellar some high-end collectible Barossa labels for over a decade. But how do you invest in these premium Australian bottles? Through Vinovest, of course!

Investing in a Collectible Shiraz Wine through Vinovest

Vinovest is an AI-based online wine investment platform that lets you invest in fine wines from around the world. And what are the benefits? Vinovest stores your bottles in bonded warehouses, and you don’t have to pay any excise duty or VAT for this. Besides, it charges you a nominal annual fee of 2.5% (1.9% for portfolios of over $50,000), including insurance, fraud detection, storage, and portfolio management. And for any investment advice, you can consult Vinovest’s expert sommelier team.

Add A Sensational Shiraz Wine To Your Collection!

Shiraz wine has something to offer for every wine lover’s palate. Its rich, complex flavors and age-worthiness make it a great investment wine as well.

The 2005 Torbreck The Laird Barossa Valley Shiraz, for example, showed a price appreciation of over 76% between November 2019 and September 2021.

Get your hands on a Barossa Valley Shiraz or a varietal wine from the famous Rhone Valley wine regions using Vinovest! It is a world-class wine investment company that lets you invest in sought-after wines around the world.