Comments on: What’s the problem with Syrah? http://www.steveheimoff.com/index.php/2009/12/28/whats-the-problem-with-syrah/ A blog about the world of wine Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:15:23 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.3 By: Is a Shiraz Rebound in the Cards? « Terroirists – probably the best wine blog in the world http://www.steveheimoff.com/index.php/2009/12/28/whats-the-problem-with-syrah/comment-page-1/#comment-101540 Is a Shiraz Rebound in the Cards? « Terroirists – probably the best wine blog in the world Sun, 31 Oct 2010 02:06:04 +0000 http://www.steveheimoff.com/?p=4916#comment-101540 [...] written off by wine drinkers. Whether or not this problem is to blame for Syrah is debatable. As Steve Heimoff quotes, “…Syrah has been hurt by Aussie Shiraz’s cheap image, which may be partly true, but [...] [...] written off by wine drinkers. Whether or not this problem is to blame for Syrah is debatable. As Steve Heimoff quotes, “…Syrah has been hurt by Aussie Shiraz’s cheap image, which may be partly true, but [...]

]]> By: John MacCready http://www.steveheimoff.com/index.php/2009/12/28/whats-the-problem-with-syrah/comment-page-1/#comment-31120 John MacCready Mon, 08 Feb 2010 22:53:56 +0000 http://www.steveheimoff.com/?p=4916#comment-31120 Steve, I agree with you that hot climate Syrah has hurt the syrah sales in that they don't show the consumer a quality product. We here at Sierra Vista have an average temperature range almost identical to that of the northern Rhone Valley and we do have nuances of pepper that we do not have to coax out. I also agree with Ethan that you can get a very good Syrah for less money than a very good Cab. We do have an organization, whose mutual benefit corporation was instigated by Barry Bergman and me in 1997, for the express purpose of promoting Syrah and other Rhone style wines. I think it has helped but also hindered because when Syrah became popular many growers in Lodi and other hot climates planted it. And that was a detriment to Good Syrahs. When Syrah has been around as long as Cabernet I think the good growing areas will be sorted out and the poor growing areas will move to something else. If you come to the Rhone Rangers the weekend of March 27/28 you can taste some Syrahs older than 10 years that will be poured by me and others. Sincerely, John MacCready owner and winemaker Steve,

I agree with you that hot climate Syrah has hurt the syrah sales in that they don’t show the consumer a quality product. We here at Sierra Vista have an average temperature range almost identical to that of the northern Rhone Valley and we do have nuances of pepper that we do not have to coax out.

I also agree with Ethan that you can get a very good Syrah for less money than a very good Cab.

We do have an organization, whose mutual benefit corporation was instigated by Barry Bergman and me in 1997, for the express purpose of promoting Syrah and other Rhone style wines. I think it has helped but also hindered because when Syrah became popular many growers in Lodi and other hot climates planted it. And that was a detriment to Good Syrahs. When Syrah has been around as long as Cabernet I think the good growing areas will be sorted out and the poor growing areas will move to something else. If you come to the Rhone Rangers the weekend of March 27/28 you can taste some Syrahs older than 10 years that will be poured by me and others.

Sincerely,
John MacCready
owner and winemaker

]]> By: steve http://www.steveheimoff.com/index.php/2009/12/28/whats-the-problem-with-syrah/comment-page-1/#comment-26611 steve Tue, 05 Jan 2010 01:40:54 +0000 http://www.steveheimoff.com/?p=4916#comment-26611 Ethan, thanks. I will look forward to reviewing your wines if you care to send them to me. Ethan, thanks. I will look forward to reviewing your wines if you care to send them to me.

]]> By: Ethan Lindquist http://www.steveheimoff.com/index.php/2009/12/28/whats-the-problem-with-syrah/comment-page-1/#comment-26610 Ethan Lindquist Tue, 05 Jan 2010 01:39:28 +0000 http://www.steveheimoff.com/?p=4916#comment-26610 Im glad you are all talking about Syrah. I have to agree with Larry, you can find a good Syrah for much less than a good Cab. I think Syrah has a potential to be all the more interesting than a good Cab. My father Bob Lindquist of Qupe, has strived to bring Syrah to the forefront of the California market for 27 years now, and I have also under my own label Ethan Wines. We will continue to make good Syrah, and we will continue to educate people in the grape. I think Syrah will soon be back on the rise, and I do agree that the best Syrah's come from cooler climates. If you can name a grape that gives Santa Barbara County, its identity, it is Syrah. Not Pinot Noir, Pinot is only grown in very tiny portions of the county, and for the most part is not even being made varietally correct. If you want a good SBC wine next time your in a restaurant, look for a cool climate Syrah. Im glad you are all talking about Syrah. I have to agree with Larry, you can find a good Syrah for much less than a good Cab. I think Syrah has a potential to be all the more interesting than a good Cab. My father Bob Lindquist of Qupe, has strived to bring Syrah to the forefront of the California market for 27 years now, and I have also under my own label Ethan Wines. We will continue to make good Syrah, and we will continue to educate people in the grape. I think Syrah will soon be back on the rise, and I do agree that the best Syrah’s come from cooler climates. If you can name a grape that gives Santa Barbara County, its identity, it is Syrah. Not Pinot Noir, Pinot is only grown in very tiny portions of the county, and for the most part is not even being made varietally correct. If you want a good SBC wine next time your in a restaurant, look for a cool climate Syrah.

]]> By: Jimmy Kawalek http://www.steveheimoff.com/index.php/2009/12/28/whats-the-problem-with-syrah/comment-page-1/#comment-25647 Jimmy Kawalek Wed, 30 Dec 2009 20:14:16 +0000 http://www.steveheimoff.com/?p=4916#comment-25647 When I hear that any wine if "flying out of the tasting room" I always snicker to myself. The problem is I cannot drive around with 20 acres of beautiful vineyards and a spectacular tasting room in the trunk of my car when I head out to sell wines. Every wine "is what it is" when you are 10th in the queue for a buyer at a retailer/restaurant. Wines ALWAYS sell & taste better at the winery when consumers are "in the zone". You go to the winery to get away and be there. What makes your wines stand out on a shelf or menu with hundreds of other wines is all that matters. Consumers do not have the opportunity to sample before they buy so the gravitate to what they think they know. As the budget tightens they tend to buy safer bets and if a solid Cab sells for $20 (the same price as a Syrah no matter the quality) the consumer will gravitate to the Cab/Merlot/PN. When I hear that any wine if “flying out of the tasting room” I always snicker to myself. The problem is I cannot drive around with 20 acres of beautiful vineyards and a spectacular tasting room in the trunk of my car when I head out to sell wines. Every wine “is what it is” when you are 10th in the queue for a buyer at a retailer/restaurant. Wines ALWAYS sell & taste better at the winery when consumers are “in the zone”. You go to the winery to get away and be there. What makes your wines stand out on a shelf or menu with hundreds of other wines is all that matters. Consumers do not have the opportunity to sample before they buy so the gravitate to what they think they know. As the budget tightens they tend to buy safer bets and if a solid Cab sells for $20 (the same price as a Syrah no matter the quality) the consumer will gravitate to the Cab/Merlot/PN.

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