Syrah (or shiraz) leapfrogged merlot a few years ago to become the UK’s top-selling red, says Jane MacQuitty in The Times. “Shiraz” tends to be used for big, bold New World wines, as well as similar wines from Italy and France. “Syrah” tends to indicate “more restrained, violet-perfumed and savoury-styled reds”, like those produced in the ancient, steep, granite soil terraces of the northern Rhône.
For a bargain blended wine, I’d recommend 2016 Lot Series Minervois La Livinière (Aldi; £8.99), a delicious, beefy, syrah-led minervois. Or Sainsbury’s robust, peppery, red-fruited 2016 Taste the Difference Côtes du Rhône Villages (£8), a 50:50 syrahgrenache blend.
For a classy all-syrah, try the volcanic soil-derived 2016 Coteaux de l’Ardèche Basalte Syrah (yapp.co.uk; £11.95). From Waitrose, the 2016 Cave de Saint-Desirat Saint-Joseph (£15.99) is packed…
