Weekly Wine Quiz #58: Grape Trivia – Syrah
Shiraz grapes. Source: Wikipedia
Welcome to the weekend! To start your weekend right, it is the time for our traditional grape and vine exercise.
We are continuing the grape trivia, and today’s subject is … Syrah, or as they call it in Australia, Shiraz.
Syrah is a red grape with thick black skin, capable of producing full-bodied, big and powerful wines. Primary aromas associated with Syrah are usually of blackberry and black pepper, but as the wine ages, it shows a number of very diverse flavors, such as leather, tobacco, chocolate and more. Syrah is known under the name of Shiraz in Australia and South Africa. France, United States (California, Washington, Oregon) and Australia are typically considered to be the source of the best in the world Syrah wines, but Spain, Italy, Chile and Argentina are all producing very interesting Syrah wines as well.
Now, let’s move on to the quiz. As before, the quiz consists of 5 questions, and the answers will be provided next Wednesday.
Q1: Where is Shiraz?
Q2: Which white grape often plays a role of blending companion for Shiraz?
Q3: One of the appellations below can be removed from the list – can you tell which one and why? For the answer to count, “why” explanation is required
A. Cornas
B. Côte-Rôtie
C. Crozes-Hermitage
D. Hermitage
E. Saint-Joseph
Q4: About 100 years ago, Syrah was a popular addition to the wines of one well known region – now this practice is totally illegal by the appellation rules. Do you know what region was that?
Q5: Where do you think are the oldest in the world continuously producing Syrah vineyards are located? Can you guess the approximate age of the vines?
Enjoy your weekend, good luck and cheers!
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1. Iran (Persia)
2. Viognier
3. Cornas–the only appellation where the addition of white wines to the blend is prohibited.
4. Bordeaux
5. Barossa Valley (Freedom vineyard, Langmeil Winery). Planted in 1843, so 170 years old!
very well done, Jeff. You might be even correct with some of your answers : )
I think I will have to do the next quiz on Saperavi or Rkatziteli, just to make it more fun for you : )
1) The city of Shiraz? No clue… Maybe Lebanon? Shiraz wine is from Australia
2) Viogneir
3) Cornas – 100% Syrah! Others can have Mars/Rous/or Viognier
4) Pretty sure it is Bordeaux….
5) Assuming somewhere in Australia,due to Phylloxera. Approx 150 yrs old?
(I’m assuming everything by TDC is correct, but I figured I’d play along anyway…)
Have a great weekend!
Thanks for playing, well done! Answers are coming on Wednesday.
Another quiz where I have no idea, but I plan on learning a lot. Thanks! 🙂
My pleasure! I’m learning a lot too : )
As usual I only knew 1-2. Enjoy the challenge though.
Glad you like it! I would think you will not resist the urge to participate once we get to Tempranillo or some other grapes which are doing so well in Texas : )
1. Iran
2. Viognier
3.
4.
5. Barossa Valley, Australia – not sure how old the vines were when they were brought to Australia
You make us work for it – that’s a good thing. Enjoyed researching this. Knew the answers I gave, but couldn’t really find much on 3 & 4.
Thanks for playing! I personally like all sorts of quizzes as usually I have to work for an answer : )