Introduction
Syrah / Shiraz is only the fifth most popular red grape by acreage in BC with only 10% of the total red acreage as of 2014.
It lags behind Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cab Sauvignon and Cab Franc. The acreage has been relatively constant since 2008, at around 550 acres of grapes planted. Further details are provided on the BC Wine Industry statistics page.
BC is small potatoes compared to the major Syrah/Shiraz growing regions. Syrah Wine Regions total ~460,000 acres worldwide (186,000 hectares)
France (169,000 acres) Côtes du Rhône: Cornas, Hermitage, St. Joseph, Côte-Rôtie
Australia (105,000 acres) Barossa, McLaren Vale, Limestone Coast
Spain (49,000 acres) Priorat, Montsant, Toro, Yecla
Argentina (32,000 acres) Mendoza, Salta
South Africa (25,000 acres) Stellenbosch, Paarl, Franschhoek
United States (23,000 acres) Paso Robles, Santa Barbara, Napa, Sonoma, Columbia Valley (WA)
Italy (17,000 acres) Tuscany, Sicily
Chile (15,000 acres) Colchagua Valley, Maipo Valley
Judgment of BC Results
However, BC Syrah wines shined at the recent Judgment of BC wine tasting against international competition placing first, fourth and fifth. The detailed results were:
- C.C. Jentsch Syrah 2013 | Okanagan Valley, BC | $30
- Langmeil Shiraz Orphan Bank 2012 | Barossa, South Australia | $68
- Domaine Vincent Paris Cornas Granit 60 2013 | France | $66
- Nichol Syrah 2012 | Okanagan Valley, BC | $40
- Le Vieux Pin Syrah Cuvée Classique 2013 | Okanagan Valley, BC | $50
- Ojai Syrah 2011 | Santa Barbara, California | $30
- Jackson-Triggs Okanagan Sunrock Shiraz 2010 | Okanagan Valley, BC | $30
- Orofino Syrah Scout Vineyard 2012 | Similkameen Valley, BC | $29
- J.L. Chave Selections Crozes-Hermitage Silène 2012 | France | $40
- 10. Tyrell’s Shiraz Vat 9 2011 | Hunter Valley, New South Wales | $49
- 11. Laughing Stock Syrah 2013 | Okanagan Valley, BC | $38
- 12. K Vintners Syrah The Beautiful 2012 | Walla Walla, Washington | $70
For more recommendations of BC Syrahs see Top 10 Best Value BC Syrah.
International Competitions provide the best benchmarking of BC wines and provide the best path for rapid improvement of local wines.
Having been born in OZ I’m rather partial to a big Shiraz from down under. For another take on BC versus world Shiraz check our Kristof Gillese’s review where Le Vieux Pin came in a close third to two Aussie bruisers. http://thechefandthegrape.com/wordpress/the-winetastingcircle-of-vancouver-bc-syrah-compared/