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I have a question about wine for anyone who has experience and/or an opinion, expert or otherwise. How does Syrah and Shiraz compare with other dry red wines (e.g., Cabernet or Merlot)? If you like them, can you recommend a label/year?

msum865048 4 Apr 15
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My old buddy used to have a radio show on wine, lived all over the world and had several restaurants. Shiraz is the Austrailian verson of Syrah, many prefer Shiraz, he does but will enjoy either. He suggests Fox Creek (mid $20's), Yellow Tail at half the price, no particular year seems to be better with a slight nod to 2011. There are much pricier one's but taste is spotty at best and not worth the expense to find a good one. Wines from the Barossa Valley area are considered better than most. There are a few South African versions that have a distinctive berry flavor many like, all have some peppery tones that vary. That is my lesson for today, I personally am a whiskey person, Wild Turkey Rare Breed-two fingers neat in a bucket with a side of bottled water.

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If you like dry red wines then the cabernets r going to be best choice.

TINY Level 3 Nov 10, 2018
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While I enjoy a good Merlot, I’ve recently migrated to a good Pinot Noir. Can’t recomment a vineyard... but... I can recommend you try it. You might be pleasantly surprised...

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Most Sarah and shiraz are names confuse I always believe. Because when I have wine tasting at the house, they used bring those even after I would tell them that I never tasted one I liked.
And eventually they gave up. I brought my first red drys back from France, after you try European wines, it's hard drink other.

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Reservas, Chianti, Sangiovese, bordeau.
Those are real wines of the red medium dry

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Reservas, Chianti, Sangiovese, bordeau.
Those are real wines of the red medium dry

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Ones the murderous dictator of the one that Trump is Bombing???...

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Thank you all for your most insightful input! I never expected such a good response. I want to let you know that I bought a bottle of Syrah yesterday and have tried it. It may just be this label, but I think I prefer Cabernet. I was disappointed in the strong peppery note in the Syrah, and it didn't seem to have as many nuances of flavor as some Cabs I've had. But then again, I don't have a very developed or discerning palate, so it could just be that I'm missing some of its charm.

I believe it's the same with most wines, it depends on your individual palate. I really enjoy a good red blend like a Syrah (Siraz). I think of a blend as having more variations of taste. The wines here in Illinois are getting better but rarely stand up to almost anywhere else. The Charleston area has some good products and is fun as well. You sound like someone who really enjoys a good wine. By the way, I liked your profile....good job.

@kellyman33, thx 4 your answer. Since I wrote my initial query, I've tried several more syrahs/shirazes and found some I liked a lot. Like all varietals, some have more depth and complexity of flavor than others, and those are my faves. I live in an area of Missouri that has scads of wineries, but I am not crazy about many of their wines except for the Norton offered by Mount Pleasant. Haven't tried any Illinois wines yet that I can recall. Have you tried any MO wines yourself?

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There all disgusting lol

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Ok first of all I don't like to compare varietals. You can compare what regions of the world they come from and what climates they get grown in but beyond that it gets into how a grape is grown at a particular vintner and how the cellaring proceess and malolactic is done, what kind of barrels are used, what the tannins are in the end product, how much alcohol is in the bottle, residual sugars, acid and mouth feel. Just taste the fucking thing.

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It's worth a try.. new Zealand and Australian brands are dominant, and they are fine and priced reasonably . I may go out and buy as bottle today.. haven't had that flavor for awhile.. 🙂
Enjoy !

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Oh man, wine tasting is such a subjective thing. I live in an area (in Cali) that produces a lot of Zinfandel, some Cab, Pino Noir, Viognier, Tempranillo, and a few others. I don't have much experience with Shiraz or Syrah, but recall them to be drier than I prefer. My suggestion is to start experimenting. =] You could host a wine party and maybe create a list of locally available versions of these varietals so you don't get too many duplications. That would be a fun event.

@Akfishlady There are over 100 wineries within 90 minutes drive. Not including Napa Valley Appalachian.

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I would recommend you try one. If you like it, great. If not, try another. If you still don't like it, you can probably be assured you won't like any others.

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Very good question. If you buy @AKFishlady and myself a bottle of Syrah, Shiraz, Cabernet and Merlot, we'll sample them all and make a comparison then get back to you with our tasting notes. Actually, just to be on the safe side and ensure you're getting properly-researched data, it might be best to buy cases rather than individual bottles. 🙂

Jnei Level 8 Apr 15, 2018

@Akfishlady I was just thinking that since we're both from an academic background, it's our duty to do the science for the good of humanity. It'll be a hard job but someone has to do it!

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It's worth a try.. new Zealand and Australian brands are dominant, and they are fine and priced reasonably . I may go out and buy as bottle today.. haven't had that flavor for awhile.. 🙂
I wish I was close enough to share a bottle with you ! 😉
Enjoy !

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I do not know much about wines, but I believe that shiraz is a sweeter wine.

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Oh dear, taste is so individual. Buy one bottle each. Line them up and take one sip each. Give each a rating by which one you like best. Then finish the bottles. After the third round, you will not care anymore, but hopefully you will have written down which one you like best,.

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I like Shiraz, it has a little bit of a spicy flavor. I actually get the Trader Joe's brand. It's very economical (cheap) but perfectly good.

I find Cabernet's complex and rich. Merlot usually has a grapey flavor which may or may not be to your taste. Pinot Noir is often complex but light bodied. If you drink French wines, pinot noir is equivalent to Beaujolais, cabernet is the equivalent of Bordeaux. French wines are labeled by the region whereas American wines are by the grape variety.

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