Syrah vs Shiraz: Are they the same wine?

Yes. Shiraz and Syrah come from exactly the same grape. The difference is that the two names have come to represent different wine traditions and often, different styles in the glass. Syrah is traditionally associated with France, particularly the Rhône Valley, while Shiraz has become firmly established in Australia. In South Africa, you'll find both names on wine labels. Climate, terroir and winemaking all influence how the same grape expresses itself, creating wines that can range from elegant and savoury to rich and fruit-forward.

So, when it comes to Syrah vs Shiraz, the difference isn't in the grape itself. It's in the story behind the bottle.

Syrah vs Shiraz at a glance

Why are they called Syrah and Shiraz?

The story of Syrah and Shiraz starts in France. Syrah is a dark-skinned red grape variety closely associated with the Rhône Valley, where it has been grown for centuries. It is particularly important in the Northern Rhône, where it has become one of the region's defining grape varieties.

As the grape travelled around the world, it developed new identities. When it arrived in Australia in the 19th century, it became known as Shiraz. The name stuck, and Shiraz became one of Australia's most important grape varieties.

Today, Syrah remains the traditional name in France, while Shiraz became firmly established in Australia. In countries such as South Africa, you'll find both names on labels, sometimes depending on the style a producer wants to signal. So, while Shiraz and Syrah come from the same grape, the names reflect the different wine traditions that developed around it.

What do Syrah and Shiraz taste like?

Syrah and Shiraz can range from fresh and peppery to rich and concentrated, depending on where the grapes are grown and how the wine is made.

Syrah: Pepper, spice and dark fruit

Syrah red wine commonly shows flavours of blackberry, blackcurrant and dark cherry, alongside black pepper, violets, herbs and savoury spice. It often has noticeable acidity and tannins, giving the wine structure and a fresher finish.

The overall impression can be elegant and savoury, with the fruit balanced by spice and earthy notes rather than taking centre stage.

Shiraz: Ripe fruit and warm spices

Shiraz tends to lean towards ripe blackberry, plum and other dark-fruit flavours. You may also find notes of warm spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, cardamom, allspice, and star anise; as well as chocolate, liquorice or smoky oak, particularly in wines that have spent time maturing in barrels.

On the palate, Shiraz can feel rounder, richer and more generous, with ripe fruit and spice creating a fuller expression of the grape.

Can Syrah and Shiraz taste similar?

Of course, wine doesn't always fit neatly into categories. A cooler-climate Shiraz can be elegant and peppery, while a warm-climate Syrah can be rich and full-bodied.

So, if you're wondering what Syrah wine tastes like, there isn't one single answer. The grape can move from peppery and savoury to plush and fruit-forward depending on where and how it's made.

What makes Syrah and Shiraz taste different?

When it comes to wine, where the grape is grown matters almost as much as the grape itself.

How climate changes the wine

Climate plays a major role in how quickly grapes ripen. In cooler regions, Syrah grapes tend to ripen more slowly, allowing them to retain acidity while developing layers of savoury and aromatic character. This can result in wines with freshness, structure and a more restrained style.

Warmer conditions generally encourage greater sugar accumulation and riper fruit flavours. The result can be fuller-bodied wines with richer fruit and softer-feeling tannins, characteristics often associated with Shiraz red wine.

Climate is only part of the picture. Other growing conditions can influence the style too:

• Altitude: Higher vineyards can experience cooler temperatures that help grapes retain freshness.

• Coastal influence: Cooling ocean breezes can slow ripening and help preserve acidity.

• Sunlight and exposure: These affect how evenly and fully the grapes ripen.

• Soil and rainfall: Both influence how the vines grow and how the fruit develops.

That's why even wines made from exactly the same grape can develop very different personalities depending on where they're grown.

How winemaking changes the style

Once the grapes arrive at the winery, the winemaker determines the final character of the wine. Decisions about when to harvest, how the grapes are fermented, and whether the wine spends time in oak can all influence its flavour, tannins, texture, and body.

Oak ageing, for example, can introduce notes of vanilla, toast and smoke. The way the grapes are fermented and handled in the cellar can also shape the wine's fruit, colour, tannins and texture.

So, while the names Syrah and Shiraz can give you an idea of what to expect, the vineyard and the winemaker ultimately determine what's in your glass.

Which should you choose: Syrah or Shiraz?

If you're deciding between Syrah and Shiraz, the easiest place to start is with the kind of red wine you already enjoy.

You may prefer Syrah if you like:

• Black pepper and savoury spice

• Dark berry flavours

• Fresher acidity

• Firmer structure

• Herbal, earthy or floral notes

You may prefer Shiraz if you like:

• Ripe blackberry and plum

• Fuller-bodied red wines

• Softer, rounder fruit

• Warm spice

• Richer, more generous flavours

These aren't strict rules. Where the grapes are grown, the vintage and the choices made in the cellar can all shape the final wine. Think of Syrah and Shiraz as useful clues on the label rather than a guarantee of exactly what you'll taste.

Shiraz in South Africa

Shiraz has a long history in South Africa, although exactly when the grape first arrived at the Cape is still uncertain. One theory suggests it may have arrived as early as the late 1600s, while another points to James Busby, a viticulturist credited with introducing Shiraz to Australia, who reportedly offloaded some cuttings in Cape Town while travelling from Europe in 1840.

What we do know is that the first confirmed planting of Shiraz in South Africa took place at Groot Constantia in the late 1890s. By 1935, Shiraz wines were already appearing in the Cape Agricultural Wine Competition, showing that the variety had begun to establish itself in the local wine industry.

From the 1990s onwards, Shiraz plantings grew rapidly, and today it is the second most planted red grape variety in South Africa, after Cabernet Sauvignon. So, while Shiraz may have travelled a long way to get here, it has certainly made itself at home in South Africa.

Why choose HER's Shiraz?

HER's Shiraz brings a distinctly South African expression to this versatile grape, with ripe fruit, spice and structure coming together in an approachable, food-friendly style.

In the glass, it's a dark ruby-red wine with expressive flavours of blackberry, ripe plum and black cherry, layered with violet, crushed granite and black pepper. The winemaking is designed to preserve those primary fruit flavours while developing colour, tannin and a rounded mid-palate.

It's also a wonderfully food-friendly wine, pairing particularly well with grilled or roasted red meats, hearty stews, spiced dishes, charred vegetables and smoked mushrooms.

But you don't need to know your tannins from your terroir to enjoy it. Pour a glass, see what flavours you pick up and let your own palate do the exploring. Because sometimes choosing a wine is simply about finding one you look forward to enjoying again.

Syrah vs Shiraz: Which style is right for you?

From its roots in France to its journey across the world, Syrah vs Shiraz is really a story about how much a single grape can change with place and winemaking.  While the names may point to different wine traditions, they ultimately lead back to the same grape.

Climate, terroir and decisions in the cellar shape everything from the wine's structure and texture to the flavours in your glass. That's why there is no single way to experience Syrah or Shiraz.

And here in South Africa, that versatility has found its own expression. HER Shiraz is one example of how this grape continues to evolve as it finds a home in new places.

Ready to explore this South African Shiraz for yourself? Shop the HER Wine Collection and discover your own take on this wonderfully versatile grape. 

Frequently asked questions about Syrah and Shiraz

Is Shiraz sweeter than Syrah?

Usually, no. Both Syrah and Shiraz are typically made as dry wines. Shiraz can sometimes seem sweeter because its ripe blackberry, plum and other fruit flavours create a richer impression on the palate. The actual amount of residual sugar depends on the individual wine rather than whether the label says Syrah or Shiraz.

Why do some South African wines say Syrah and others say Shiraz?

South African winemakers use both names. Some producers choose Syrah for wines made in a fresher, more savoury style, while Shiraz is often associated with richer and more fruit-forward expressions. These aren't strict rules, though, so the producer, region and tasting notes are better guides to what you'll find in the bottle.

Is Petite Sirah the same as Syrah or Shiraz?

No. Syrah and Shiraz are two names for the same grape, but Petite Sirah is a different grape variety, also known as Durif. Despite the similar name, a bottle labelled Petite Sirah isn't the same as Syrah or Shiraz.