Syrah, or Shiraz, was only added to the list of Austrian Quality wines in 2001. The variety originally gained fame in the Rhône Valley is a natural crossing of Dureza and Mondeuse blanche.
Vineyard area
Did not become officially approved in Austria as a Qualitätswein until 2001. This grape is grown internationally today and is a key variety in the warm red wine-growing regions of every continent.
Important ampelographic features
Ripening
Ripening
Significance & conditions
Syrah is popular as a monovarietal red wine and in cuvée blends. It is sensitive to frost and only suitable for very early-season vineyards. Relatively high yields mean that fruit needs to be restricted.
Area under vine in Austria
(as a proportion of the variety’s total area)
Characteristics of the wine
Characteristics of the wine
Fully ripened grapes, grown in excellent vineyards with low yields, produce deep red wines that are rich in tannins, with aromas of violets and mignonette. These wines take a long time to develop and only reach a high quality after a long period of maturation.
Source varietal specifications: Höhere Bundeslehranstalt und Bundesamt für Wein- und Obstbau (Federal College and Federal Office for Viticulture, Oenology and Fruit Growing) in Klosterneuburg, “Austria’s Qualitätswein grape varieties and their clones“ („Österreichische Qualitätsweinrebsorten und deren Klone“), 2nd, reviewed edition, September 2015
Source area under vine: Austrian Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Regions and Tourism according to IACS (as at 31 May 2022)
