Petite Sirah
Clearing Up the Confusion
TASTE - February 24, 2010
By Jake Kosseff
The grape named Petite Sirah is the source of much confusion for at least two good reasons. First off, it is not in fact Syrah at all (the "i" is important). Secondly, more than one grape variety has been traditionally called Petite Sirah in California.
True Petite Sirah is another name for France's nearly extinct Peloursin grape. In the 1920's, the name became the legal name in the United States for not only Peloursin, but also Syrah (yeah, with a "y") and Durif (a cross between Peloursin and Syrah invented in the 1880's by a Dr. Durif in France). To this day, much of the wine called Petite Sirah in California is actually Durif. Confused yet?
Varietal Petite Sirah from California is powerful, sometimes rustic, and full of blue fruit characters. It is a great wine for barbeques, and has a solid place in the pantheon of uniquely American wines. Many Zinfandel producers also blend a small portion of Petite Sirah into their Zinfandels to help beef them up and round out the flavors (the most famous proponent of this practice is Paul Draper of Ridge Vineyards). There are also plantings of Durif in Australia, where it makes solid, often enjoyable, rustic red wines.
Jake Kosseff is a frequent contributor, Sommelier and Wine Director at Wild Ginger and The Triple Door in Seattle.
Try some of Jake's recommendations:
2007 Bogle Petite Sirah, California (~$9)
This wine is easy to find and really tasty. Full-bodied with jammy blackberry and plum fruit, and a hint of spice and vanilla from oak.
www.BogleWinery.com
2007 Nugan Estate Manuka Grove Vineyard Durif, Riverina, Australia (~$20 and a little hard to find, but worth looking for)
Powerful and straightforward, with blue plum and blueberry fruit, moderate oak, and structure to spare.
www.SouthernStarz.com
2005 Foppiano Vineyards Petite Sirah, Russian River Valley, CA (~$20)
Darkly colored, and full of blackberry and blueberry fruit, exotic spices and vanilla from oak. Full-bodied, but with smooth tannins that aren't overwhelming.
www.Foppiano.com
2007 Robert Foley Vineyards Petite Sirah, Napa Valley, CA (~$60)
Robert Foley is the king of luxury Petite Sirah, and this wine doesn't disappoint; it is intensely powerful, packed with fruit, layers of exotic spice, and firm tannins. This will be even better in ten years, but it tastes great now with a grilled sirloin.
www.RobertFoleyVineyards.com
Wine mark-ups and prices vary, and, as such, Wine Country Minute 00:60 cannot guarantee the accuracy of the listed prices. Please check around to find the best price and availability.
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