Syrah vs. shiraz?

by Cookthink

What is the difference between syrah and shiraz? As far as the grapes used, not a thing. Syrah and shiraz wines are made with the same grape, but conventional wisdom holds that they’re two very different styles. Syrah has a reputation as a drier, more restrained wine while shiraz is thought to be jammier and fruitier. People associate syrah with the “Old World” and shiraz with the “New World," although this neat division has been thrown out of whack by globalism. Now, some French wines from the heart of syrah country in the northern Rhone are being marketed as shiraz for export, while Chile produces syrah whose flavor profile better fits shiraz and vice versa.