Table of Contents
Wine 101 The Fascinating Petite Sirah
Discover the true identity of Petite Sirah, a grape that has often been misunderstood and incorrectly linked to its cousin, Syrah. Unravel the history, flavors, and the mission to legitimize this unique grape, exploring its journey from France to California.
Decoding the Confusion
- Petite Sirah is not a young Syrah (Shiraz), despite the confusingly similar names and their familial relation.
- Originating from the Durif grape, discovered in 1860s France by botanist Francois Durif, Petite Sirah has distinct characteristics.
- The grape’s journey to California led to a renaming; winemakers found “Petite Sirah” more appealing than “Durif.”
Petite Sirah’s Origin Story
- Discovered by Francois Durif, Petite Sirah resulted from a Syrah vine crossing with another during pollination.
- Francois Durif named the new grape after himself, given his role in its discovery.
- California embraced Petite Sirah, recognizing its similarities to Syrah, leading to the grape’s introduction to the region.
The Rise of Petite Sirah
- California and Israel stand out as the primary producers of high-quality Petite Sirah globally.
- The grape has faced criticism from some wine professionals for lacking establishment, leading to the formation of the P.S. I Love You organization.
- P.S. I Love You seeks to elevate Petite Sirah’s status, focusing on promoting, educating, and legitimizing it as a noble wine grape variety.
Distinct Characteristics and Pairings
- Petite Sirah boasts deep flavors of blueberry, chocolate, pepper, and spice, complemented by high tannins and acidity.
- Ideal for pairing with curries and rich, meaty dishes, Petite Sirah delivers a unique tasting experience.
10 Facts about Petite Sirah
- Petite Sirah is often mistaken for a young Syrah, despite being a distinct grape.
- The confusion in names is attributed to the California wine industry’s marketing choices.
- The grape’s origin lies in the Durif grape, discovered by botanist Francois Durif in France in the 1860s.
- Petite Sirah is a result of a cross between a Syrah vine and another during pollination in Durif’s greenhouse.
- Francois Durif named the grape after himself, a common practice in the discovery of new grape varieties.
- The grape traveled to California, where it was recognized for its similarities to Syrah, leading to a renaming.
- California and Israel are the primary global producers of high-quality Petite Sirah.
- P.S. I Love You, an organization in California, aims to raise the profile of Petite Sirah and legitimize it as a noble grape.
- Petite Sirah’s flavors include blueberry, chocolate, pepper, and spice, accompanied by high tannins and acidity.
- The grape is celebrated for its uniqueness, distinct from its cousin Syrah.
Since you made it here…Interesting Wines to try
2019 Bouchaine Hyde Vineyard Merlot Carneros – Napa Valley
- The legendary Hyde Vineyard unveils a brilliantly structured Merlot
- Ripe tannins dominate, yet irresistibly approachable in its early evolution
- Sarsaparilla, cola spice, and cigar humidor dance with black licorice
- Layers of plum sauce, blackberries, cassis, and black raspberries unfold
- Scrubby herbs emerge with perky acidity, keeping the experience lively
- Immerse yourself in the world of wine with Hyde Vineyard’s masterpiece
- Elevate your tasting experience with this captivating Merlot
2019 Chappellet Merlot Napa Valley
- Inky richness, bursting with toasty cacao, espresso, and grilled vanilla
- Silky mouthfeel framed by sweet, integrating tannins
- Spiced plums, cassis, and bright acidity lingering through a blueberry-kissed finish
2019 Cuvaison Arcilla Merlot Los Carneros – Napa Valley
- Pure evocation of strawberries with evolving tea-like tannins
- Flavors of blackberry, black raspberry, and smashed blueberry
- Notably savory with hints of carob, mineral, black licorice, and plum sauce layers
2019 Duckhorn Three Palms Vineyard Merlot Napa Valley
- A beautiful expression with sweet tannins and well-integrated oak spicing
- Hoisin sauce, cassis, violets, and candied orange peels
- Sandalwood, floral peppercorns, espresso beans, warm vanilla, and loam
2019 L’Ecole No. 41 Merlot Walla Walla Valley, Washington
- Estate-grown brilliance structured for mid-term aging
- Ripe red berry fruit and cherries finding counterpoints in dusty tannins and carob
- Minerality pulsing through each sip, delivering a brilliant wine experience
2019 La Jota Vineyard Co. Howell Mountain Estate MerlotNapa Valley
- A classic effort from winemaker Chris Carpenter with astounding mountain-grown grapes
- Age-worthy tannins allowing notes of licorice, granite, cacao nibs, and well-steeped tea to shine
- Cardamom and violets lingering through the long, elegant finish
2020 Macari Vineyards Merlot North Fork of Long Island
- A spicy and fascinating expression, dominated by crushed peppercorns
- Remarkably translucent, revealing red cherries, raspberries, and toasted fennel seeds with oak spice
2018 Meeker Winemakers’ Handprint Collection Merlot Sonoma County
- Lifted and well-delineated, expressive of black raspberries, ripe cherries, and goji berries
- Loamy earthiness, sarsaparilla-dusted tannins, and a bay-leaf note creating an intriguing wine experience
- Elegant yet powerful, structured for cellaring or enjoying now with grilled meat
2019 Mt. Brave Merlot Mt. Veeder, Napa Valley
- Toasty, rich, and brooding, a wine rewarding patience
- Notes of blackberry liqueur, kirsch, cassis, purple plums, and cardamom promising complexity
- Impressive balance and structure with graphite-like tannins and singed laurel nuances
2019 Northstar Premier Merlot Columbia Valley, Washington
- Velvety texture, ripe with a counterbalancing punch of acidity
- Crushed blackberries and mulberries, vanilla, clove, and toasty oak through the finish
- A stellar example of what the wine variety does best in the Columbia Valley
2019 PlumpJack Estate Winery Merlot Napa Valley
- A toasty, modern, crowd-pleasing beauty with rich, chocolatey notes
- Plums, blackberries, and cassis lifted by candied violets
- Aging potential of five to seven years, but delightful fruitiness makes it enjoyable now
2019 Ridge Vineyards Estate Merlot Santa Cruz Mountains
- Shining with the character of the venerable Monte Bello Vineyard
- Cedar, incense, brambly berries, elegant balance, and beautifully calibrated acidity
- Promising another ten to fifteen years of life ahead
2019 Rutherford Hill Winery Merlot Napa Valley
- Silky and herbaceous, less fruit-forward than typical Napa Merlot
- Layers of black and red raspberries, cherries, and chocolate with lively mineral finish
- A solid value delivering a unique wine experience for less than $30
- Estate-grown Merlot marked by toasty oak, cafe mocha notes, and woodsy spices
- Silky tannins, density, and underlying pulse of minerality providing real energy
- A captivating wine experience with impressive aging potential
2020 Seven Hills Winery Seven Hills Founding Vineyard Walla Walla Valley, Washington
- Fruit-forward Merlot from a vineyard planted in the early-1980s
- Underlying bergamot note with nuances of sage, oregano, and cracked peppercorns
- Sweet tannins lingering through flavors of red and purple plums and huckleberries
2018 St. Supéry Estate Vineyards and Winery Rutherford Estate Vineyards MerlotNapa Valley
- Rich, chocolatey aromas of hoisin sauce and spiced blackberry liqueur
- Balanced acidity with minerality, hint of dried herbs, and fantastic kirsch finish
2019 Vérité La Muse
- One of the most intriguing and appealing new-release Merlots
- A balance of perfume and depth with red currants, raspberries, cherries, plums, graphite, and hints of tobacco and sandalwood
Find out more about our experiences.
You may also want to check out our gallery for past events.
