Grape variety
Syrah
西拉xīlā
The spicy Rhône grape that adds depth to China's most ambitious reds
- Type
- Grape variety
- Colour
- red
- Family
- Other reds
- Origin
- France: northern Rhône Valley
- Synonyms
- Shiraz
- Literal meaning
- A phonetic rendering of 'Syrah'
Taste profile
Body
LightFullBody: 4 out of 5Tannin
LowHighTannin: 3 out of 5Acidity
LowHighAcidity: 3 out of 5Fruit
SubtleIntenseFruit: 4 out of 5
Aromas
- blackberry
- plum
- black pepper
- violet
- smoked meat
- Blackberry and plum
- with black pepper
- violet and
- in cooler sites
- savoury smoky notes.
Sweetness · dry
Syrah, known as Shiraz in Australia, is the great red grape of the northern Rhône. In China it is still a small player next to Cabernet Sauvignon, but it appears in some of the country's most ambitious wines: in the blend of Ao Yun in Yunnan, in Changyu's Tinlot in Shandong, at Chateau Sungod near Beijing and in award-winning varietal wines from Ningxia.
A Rhône classic
Syrah is the grape behind the great reds of Hermitage and Côte-Rôtie in the northern Rhône, and, as Shiraz, the most planted red grape of Australia. It gives deeply coloured wines with dark fruit, pepper and floral notes.
A rising player in China
In China, Syrah is grown in most quality regions, usually in small quantities. Its role is growing both in blends and on its own.
In Yunnan, Ao Yun includes Syrah in its high-altitude blend: the 2018 vintage contained 7%. In Shandong, Lafite's Domaine de Long Dai has Syrah planted in its Penglai vineyards, and Changyu's Chateau Changyu Tinlot in Yantai makes a Syrah-led blend: the 2016 was 60% Syrah. Near Beijing, Great Wall's Chateau Sungod in Huailai is known for compelling Syrah, and in Ningxia, Copower Jade's Fei Tswei Reserve Syrah has won medals at the Decanter World Wine Awards.
What to expect
Chinese Syrah tends to show ripe dark fruit from the strong sunshine, with peppery spice and good structure. Wines from cooler sites, such as Huailai, can be particularly fresh and balanced.
History in China
Syrah arrived in China with the wave of French varieties planted from the late 20th century. It was among the grapes introduced at Chateau Sungod, Great Wall's former experimental vineyard in Huailai, Hebei, alongside Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling and Chardonnay; in 2017 a Chateau Sungod Syrah was among the wines poured at the Beijing state dinner for US president Donald Trump.
In the 2010s and 2020s, Syrah gained visibility through high-profile projects: it is part of the blend of Ao Yun in Yunnan, it is planted by Lafite's Domaine de Long Dai in Shandong, and it leads the blend of Chateau Changyu Tinlot in Yantai.
Growing
Syrah needs warmth to ripen fully but loses its aromatic finesse in excessive heat. In China it does well in sunny, dry regions such as Ningxia, in the high valleys of Yunnan and on the well-drained hills of Huailai, while in humid Shandong careful site selection is essential. In northern China, like all vines, it must be buried in winter.
Where it grows
Producers known for it
Shandong
Changyu
张裕
China's first modern winery, founded in 1892, and still its largest wine company
Ningxia
Chateau Hedong
贺东庄园
One of Ningxia’s oldest estates, with vines more than a century old
Hebei
Chateau Sungod
长城桑干酒庄
Great Wall's historic estate in Huailai, where China's modern wine research began
Ningxia
Copower Jade
A Yongning estate built from scratch in 2012, with an Uluru-inspired winery and award-winning Syrah
Shandong
Domaine de Long Dai
珑岱
Château Lafite's Chinese estate, on granite terraces by the sea
Gansu
Guofeng
国风庄园
A large Hexi Corridor estate in Zhangye, on the old Silk Road
Xinjiang
Tiansai Vineyards
天塞酒庄
An organic oasis in the Gobi, named after a camera lens
Xinjiang
Zhongfei Winery
中菲酒庄
A vineyard won from the Gobi, stone by stone, in Xinjiang’s Yanqi Basin
Yunnan
Ao Yun
敖云
Flying above the clouds: China's most collectable wine
Food pairings
- Lamb skewers with cumin and chilli.
- Big plate chicken from Xinjiang.
- Grilled and barbecued red meat.
Sources
- Ao Yun becomes China's first grand cru release on La Place de Bordeaux — The Drinks Business, 2022
- Lafite Rothschild owner reveals Chinese winery name — Decanter, 2019
- Savour the diversity of Chinese wines — Decanter, 2024
- Poised and elegant Chinese wines? Huailai could hold key to unlocking greatness — JamesSuckling.com
- President Xi serves up Chinese wine for Trump dinner — Decanter, 2017
- Chateau SunGod Greatwall (Huailai Station) — China Daily, 2019
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