Did Syrah Beat Petite?

On Wine

Did Syrah Beat Petite?

Wine

by Fred McMillin

Syrah

About five centuries ago, legend tells us that the Syrah vine was carried from ancient Persia to France where it rose to fame on the Rhone.

Petite Sirah

About one century ago geneticist Prof. Francois Durif created Petite Sirah in France, where it subsequently was banned because its wine was inferior.

Today, Syrah is the hot-button red of the USA, often outselling Merot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Meanwhile, the Petite Sirah found a friendly home in California. For example, Ms. Jo Diaz' Petite advocacy group (PS I Love You) lists 332 producers. So, which grape produces the better wine in California today? Here are the top eight of a large tasting:

On Wine: Rankings
*Very Good*
8th	Petite	Bogle Vineyards, California, 2005, $11
7th	Petite	EOS Estate Winery, Paso Robles, 2005, $18
6th	Syrah	Sobon Estate, Amador County, 2005, $16
5th	Petite	Silkwood Wines, Stanislaus County, 2004, $39
4th	Petite	Mounts Winery, Sonoma County, 2006, $32

*Super (3-way tie)*
1st	Syrah Reserve	Adelaida Cellars, Paso Robles, 2003, $55
1st	Syrah	J.Phelps Vineyards, Napa Valley, 2005, $45
1st	Petite	Silkwood Vineyards, San Joaquin County, 2004, $39

Conclusion

Syrah Won—Two of the three top wines were Syrah.

Petite Won—Five of the top eight were Petite Sirah.

We conclude that Prof. Durif's Petite barely won. Try 'em both.

And a Final Gourmet Grin

When our son was a vigorous 15-year-old, I was surprised that on his own he bought his mom a beautiful Mother's Day card with a very nice sentiment on the front. The message inside said, "What's for lunch?"

Credits: Edgar Vogt
Statistics: Ophie Mercado

Fred McMillin

About the Writer

Fred McMillin, a veteran wine writer, has taught wine history for 30 years on three continents. He was voted one of the U.S.A's 22 Best wine writers by the Academy of Wine Communications. For information about the wine courses he teaches every month at San Francisco City College (Fort Mason Division), please fax him at (415) 567-4468.

Wine Archive