Editing Syrah (section)

=== Syrah or Shiraz on labels ===
[[File:Walla walla Syrah.jpg|left|thumb|A New World wine labeled as ''Syrah'']]
The Syrah-dominated [[Appellation d'origine contrôlée|appellations]] (AOCs) of northern Rhône have, like most other French appellations and regions, no tradition of [[varietal]] labeling of their wines. Indeed, such practices are generally disallowed under AOC rules, and only the AOC name (such as Cote-Rotie, Crozes-Hermitage or Hermitage) appears on the label. Varietal labeling of Syrah/Shiraz wines is therefore a practice that has emerged in the New World, primarily in Australia.

To confuse matters, in northern Rhône, different clones of genuine Syrah are referred to as ''Petite '''Syrah''''' (small Syrah) or ''Gros Syrah'' (large Syrah) depending on the size of their berries, with ''Petite Syrah'' being considered the superior version, giving wines higher in [[phenolic compounds in wine|phenolics]].<ref name="OCW Syrah" />

As a general rule, most Australian and South African wines are labeled "Shiraz", and most European wines (from such regions where varietal labeling is practiced) are labeled "Syrah". In other countries, practices vary and winemakers (or wine marketers) sometimes choose either "Syrah" or "Shiraz" to signify a stylistic difference in the wine they have made. "Syrah"-labelled wines are sometimes thought to be more similar to classic Northern Rhône reds; presumably more elegant, tannic, smoke-flavoured and restrained with respect to their fruit component. "Shiraz"-labelled wines, on the other hand, would then be more similar to archetypical Australian or other New World examples, presumably made from [[riper berries (wine)|riper berries]], more fruit-driven, higher in alcohol, less obviously tannic, peppery rather than smokey, usually more easily approached when young, and possibly slightly sweetish in impression. It must, however, be realized that this rule of thumb is unevenly applied.<ref name="oz_p_250">{{cite book |title=Oz Clarke's Encyclopedia of Grapes |author=Oz Clark&Margaret Rand |publisher=Hardcourt, inc |year=2001 |pages=g 250 |isbn=978-0-15-100714-1}}</ref>