Syrah
Synonymy
In France, this variety can officially be called “Shiraz” or “Serine” regarding plant propagation material. Syrah is officially designated as “Shiraz” in Cyprus, Germany, Italy and Malta.
Registration Information
In France, Syrah is officially listed in the “Catalogue of vine varieties” on the A list and is classified for wine grapes. This variety is also listed in the catalogues of other Member States of the European Union: Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain.
Cultivation and Vine Characteristics
Syrah produces long shoots that are fragile to the wind in spring and require careful trellising. In most cases, short pruning is sufficient in southern regions. Syrah is sensitive to Chlorosis and poorly adapted to soils with high active limestone content, so grafting onto 110 R should be avoided. This variety ripens quickly, resulting in a relatively short Véraison-to-ripeness period. The optimal harvest period is brief and is determined not only by sugar and acidity concentrations but also by berry weight, bunch analysis, and berry tasting. The bunches are small to medium in size and the berries are small.
Wine Characteristics
Syrah can produce high-quality red wines with a relatively high alcohol content, making them well-suited for aging. This variety yields very aromatic, fine, tannic, robust, and complex wines (with notes of spices, violet, olive, leather, and animal nuances), which tend to have relatively low acidity (with pH sometimes quite high, especially on schist soils). These wines are characterized by an intense, blue-toned color. Syrah also produces very fruity and intriguing rosé wines.
Susceptibility to Diseases and Pests
Syrah is not very susceptible to downy mildew but is relatively sensitive to mites and Botrytis, especially toward the end of the ripening period. This variety exhibits a specific decline behavior, characterized by leaf reddening, often combined with issues at the grafting point, which can eventually lead the trunks to die. The causes remain unknown, and no disease causative agent has been identified, though significant behavioral differences between clones have been observed.
Clonal selection in France
The twelve certified Syrah clones carry the numbers 470, 471, 524, 747, 1140, 1141, 1188, 1345, 1346, 1352, 1353 and 1354. A conservatory of more than 600 clones was planted in 1995 in the French department of Drôme. An additional conservatory of 50 or so clones was planted in 2002 in the French department of Rhône.
Available Clones
470
Clone showing very few symptoms of decline. Low production level especially in harsh conditions. High vigor and drooping shape. Clusters with low compactness. Clone appreciated for the configuration of its clusters, its low production potential, the colour and quality of the wines obtained.
Available in: VineTech GrowerSelect, VineTech International, VineTech QuickVineClone Characteristics
- Fertility: Very low
- Production Level: Low
- Cluster Weight: Low
- Vine Vigor: High
- Berry Size: Medium
- Botrytis Sensitivity: Low
Wine Characteristics
- Sugar Potential: High
- Colour Potential: High
- Acidity: Medium to high
- Tannic Structure: High
- Oenological Characteristics: Aromatic, concentrated wines, with good tannic structure.
524
Clone showing very few symptoms of decline. Less compact clusters.
Available in: VineTech GrowerSelect, VineTech International, VineTech QuickVineClone Characteristics
- Fertility: High
- Production Level: High
- Cluster Weight: High
- Berry Size: Medium to high
- Botrytis Sensitivity: Medium
Wine Characteristics
- Sugar Potential: Medium
- Acidity: Medium
- Oenological Characteristics: Typical wines of the grape variety.
747
Clone showing very few symptoms of decline.
Available in: VineTech GrowerSelect, VineTech International, VineTech QuickVineClone Characteristics
- Fertility: Medium to high
- Production Level: High
- Cluster Weight: Medium to high
- Berry Size: High
Wine Characteristics
- Sugar Potential: Low to medium
- Colour Potential: Low to medium
- Acidity: Medium
- Tannic Structure: Low to medium
- Oenological Characteristics: Typical wines of the grape variety.
877
Clone Characteristics
- Fertility: Low
- Production Level: Low
- Cluster Weight: Low
- Vine Vigor: Medium to High
- Berry Size: Low to medium
- Botrytis Sensitivity: Low to medium
Wine Characteristics
- Sugar Potential: Very high
- Colour Potential: Medium to high
- Acidity: Medium
- Tannic Structure: Very high
- Oenological Characteristics: Typical wines of the grape variety.
1140
Clone showing very few symptoms of decline. Appreciated for the quality of the wines obtained.
Available in: VineTech GrowerSelect, VineTech International, VineTech QuickVineClone Characteristics
- Fertility: Medium to high
- Production Level: Low to medium
- Cluster Weight: Low
- Vine Vigor: Medium
- Berry Size: Low
- Botrytis Sensitivity: Low to medium
Wine Characteristics
- Sugar Potential: High
- Colour Potential: Medium to high
- Acidity: Medium
- Tannic Structure: High
- Oenological Characteristics: Wines appreciated for their aromas, scents and their balance in the mouth.
1188
Clone showing very few symptoms of decline. Appreciated for the quality of the wines obtained.
Available in: VineTech GrowerSelect, VineTech International, VineTech QuickVineClone Characteristics
- Fertility: High
- Production Level: Medium
- Cluster Weight: Low
- Vine Vigor: Medium
- Berry Size: Low
- Botrytis Sensitivity: Low to medium
Wine Characteristics
- Sugar Potential: High
- Colour Potential: Medium to high
- Acidity: Medium
- Tannic Structure: High
- Oenological Characteristics: Wines appreciated for their aromas, scents and their balance in the mouth.
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