Syrah

N

Wine grape variety.

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Origin

The geographical origin of the variety is specified or, if this is not possible, the area in which it is traditionally cultivated. The genetic origin of the variety is also indicated whenever it is known from hybridiser data or from genetic analyses published or obtained by the teams at INRAE in Montpellier (UMR AGAP) and Vassal-Montpellier Grapevine Biological Resources Centre (CRB-Vigne).

This variety is seemingly originally from the northern Côtes du Rhône or the Dauphiné region. Based on published genetic analyses, it would be the result of crossbreeding between Mondeuse blanche and Dureza.

Use

This information indicates the normal and statutory use for the grapes.

Wine grape variety.

Name of the variety in France

Name under which the variety is officially registered in the catalogue of grapevine varieties in France and under which it may be propagated and disseminated.

Syrah

Synonymy

Recognised alternative names that may be used to identify the propagation material of the variety in France or in other member countries of the European Union.

In France, this variety can officially be called "Shiraz" or "Serine" regarding plant propagation material. Syrah is officially designated as "Shiraz" in Cyprus, Germany, Italy and Malta.

Regulatory data

This information indicates on which list the variety is registered (A or B), whether it is classified for wine grapes, and in which member countries of the European Union the variety is also officially registered (for more information, see the "Legislation" menu.

En France, la Syrah is officially listed in the "Catalogue of vine varieties" on the A list and classified. This variety is also listed in the catalogues of other Member States of the European Union: Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain.

Evolution of cultivated areas in France

The figures provided are taken from vineyard land registers (IVCC, ONIVIT, ONIVINS), general agricultural censuses (SCEES-INSEE) and the current computerised vineyard register (DGDDI, FAM). Regional vine planting data is available on the following site: https://visionet.franceagrimer.fr/Pages/DonneesInteractivesDocs.aspx?sousmenu=observatoire%20de%20la%20viticulture.

Year
ha

1958

1602

1968

2658

1979

12282

1988

27041

1998

44823

2008

67834

2018

65772

Description elements

Only the principal ampelographic elements enabling the varieties to be characterised and identified are provided. They are presented according to the descriptor code recognised by the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV), the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV), the Community Plant Variety Office (OCVV) and Bioversity International (for more information, see the "Ampelographic glossary" menu). The photographs of leaves and grapes were taken in natural conditions, on the vine, in very similar situations in terms of growing conditions (sandy soil, Mediterranean coast): - Domaine de l'Espiguette (IFV), Le Grau du Roi (Gard), - Domaine de Vassal (INRAE), Marseillan (Hérault), - La Gaillarde Campus (Institut Agro | Montpellier SupAgro), Montpellier (Hérault). Only a few photographs, including the tips of bunches, were taken in other conditions.

The identification is based on:
- the tip of the young shoot with a high density of prostrate hairs,
- the green young leaves,
- the shoots with a ribbed surface and long green internodes,
- the adult leaves with five lobes, open lateral sinuses, an open petiole sinus with sometimes naked petiole veins, short to medium teeth with convex sides, no anthocyanin coloration of veins, a sometimes goffered leaf blade, and on the lower side of the leaves, a low to medium density of prostrate hairs,
- the ellipsoid berries.

Genetic profile

The genetic profile of the variety is provided for the 9 microsatellite markers (or SSR markers) selected under the European programme GrapeGen06 (http://www.eu-vitis.de/index.php) and by the OIV. The absolute size values of the alleles may vary slightly from one laboratory to another, but the relative differences between the two alleles of one single microsatellite are constant. The genetic analyses were conducted by the INRAE Montpellier team (UMR AGAP) and the IFV’s Plant Material Centre.

Microsatellite VVS2 VVMD5 VVMD7 VVMD27 VRZAG62 VRZAG79 VVMD25 VVMD28 VVMD32

Allele 1

131

223

239

186

188

246

240

216

239

Allele 2

131

229

239

188

194

252

240

227

271

Cultivation and agronomic skills

The data on suitability are the result of field observations or, if none are available, of bibliography mining and the study of bibliographic references.

This variety produces long shoots that are fragile to the wind in spring and must be carefully trellised. In most cases, short pruning is sufficient in southern zones. Syrah is sensitive to chlorosis, poorly adapted to soils with high active limestone content. Then, grafting onto 110 R must absolutely be avoided. This variety ripens quickly, resulting in a relatively short véraison-ripeness period. The optimum harvest period is short and is evaluated not only by considering sugar and acidity concentrations, but also by the weight of the berries, bunches and berry analysis, and berry tasting.

Susceptibility to Diseases and Pests

These remarks are also the result of field observations or, if none are available, of bibliography mining and study of bibliographic references.

Syrah is not very susceptible to downy mildew but is rather sensitive to mites and grey rot, especially at the end of the ripening period. This variety has a specific decline behavior, characterized by leaf reddening combined with at the grafting point, which can in the long term cause the vine trunks to die. To date, the causes remain unknown and no disease causative agent have been identified, but significant behavioral differences between clones have been noted.

Phenology

The growth stages indicated are the result of obsrvations made at the Domaine de Vassal Estate where the set of these varieties form a collection. The results are indicated compared to the Chasselas vine variety as a reference in order to make comparisons between years and different sites. As such, for information purposes, the dates for the Chasselas B growth stage at Domaine de Vassal are as follows: - Bud burst, 21 March (average over 50 years) - Grape maturity, 14 August (average over 50 years)

Bud burst: 7 days after Chasselas.
Grape maturity: mid-season, 2 weeks and a half after Chasselas.

Technological potential

The size of grape clusters and berries indicated are based on the following scales: - Wine grape varieties Size : Very small Bunch (g) : ≤ 100 Berry (g) : 1 - Table grape varieties Bunch (g) : 150 Berry (g) : 2 - Wine grape varieties Size : Small Bunch (g) : 100 - 200 Berry (g) : 1,5 - 2 - Table grape varieties Bunch (g) : 150 - 250 Berry (g) : 2 - 3,5 - Wine grape varieties Size : Moderate Bunch (g) : 200 - 250 Berry (g) : 2 - 2,5 - Table grape varieties Bunch (g) : 250 - 400 Berry (g) : 3,5 - 5,5 - Wine grape varieties Size : Large Bunch (g) : 250 - 400 Berry (g) : 2,5 - 3,5 - Table grape varieties Bunch (g) : 400 - 700 Berry (g) : 5,5 - 8 - Wine grape varieties Size : Very large Bunch (g) : 400 Berry (g) : 3,5 - Table grape varieties Bunch (g) : 700 Berry (g) : 8 Remarks concerning the characteristics of the wines are generally based on tastings organised by juries of professionals.

The bunches are small to medium in size and the berries are small. Syrah can produce great quality red wines with a fairly high alcohol degree, that are suited to ageing. This variety gives very aromatic, fine, tannic, robust, complex (spices, violet, olive, leather-animal, etc) wines with relatively low acidity (pH is sometimes rather high, particularly on schist soils), which tend to have an intense (blue-toned) color. Syrah also produces very fruity and interesting rosé wines.

Clonal selection in France

In this section, the list of certified clones is given. Information on clone conservatories is also provided.

The twelve certified Syrah clones carry the numbers 470, 471, 524, 747, 1140, 1141, 1188, 1345, 1346, 1352, 1353 and 1354.

A conservatory of more than 600 clones was planted in 1995 in the French department of Drôme. An additional conservatory of 50 or so clones was planted in 2002 in the French department of Rhône.

Bibliographic references

Bibliography

- Catalogue des variétés et clones de vigne cultivés en France. Collectif, 2007, Ed. IFV, Le Grau-du-Roi, France.
- Documentary collections of the Centre de Ressources Biologiques de la Vigne de Vassal-Montpellier, INRAE - Institut Agro | Montpellier, Marseillan, France.
- Dictionnaire encyclopédique des cépages et de leurs synonymes. P. Galet, 2015, Ed. Libre&Solidaire, France.
- Traité général de viticulture, Ampélographie. P. Viala and V. Vermorel, 1901-1909, Ed. Masson, Paris, France.

Description of clones approved in France

In this section, the list of certified clones is given. Information on clone conservatories is also provided.

  • Clone number
  • Brand
  • Origin

    Region, department or winegrowing region in which the “clone mother plant” was identified and selected.

  • Selection

    Body or bodies which selected the clone. In France, clonal selection is the responsibility of the selection organisations (themselves accredited by the ministry in charge of agriculture), usually in close collaboration with a technical partner working in a winegrowing region. For clones certified after 1999, the name of the partner or partners who took part in the selection work is also included. (NB: CA = Chamber of Agriculture).

  • Year of approval

    Year in which the clone was certified by the FranceAgriMer board further to a proposal by the Vine section of the CTPS (Permanent Technical Committee for Plant Selection).

  • Agronomic Reference

    Region, department or winegrowing region in which the agronomic and technological data were collected.

  • Surface in multiplication

    Surface area in hectares (ha) of stock nurseries used for propagation for the year under consideration (in brackets), which allows the available potential to be evaluated. Clones with a surface area of between 0.01 and 0.10 ha are shown as <0.10 ha. Clones of limited dissemination, but for which we have technical data, are shown as <0.01 ha. Other clones are given as “low-dissemination clone”, which means that the clone has been certified only recently or has not been propagated. In both cases, only the initial material is planted in the selection centres.

  • N
  • 470

  • Tarn-et-Garonne

  • ENTAV

  • 1976

  • Côtes-du-Rhône;
    Languedoc;
    Provence

  • 18.83 ha

  • Agronomic Data

  • Fertility very low

  • Production level low

  • Cluster weight low

  • Vigor high

  • Berry size medium

  • Susceptibility to Botrytis low

  • Technological Data

  • Sugar richness high

  • Color potential high

  • Total acidity medium to high

  • Tannic structure high

  • Oenological skills aromatic, concentrated wines with a good tannic structure

  • Other information

  • General note clone showing very few symptoms of decline. Low level of production especially under limiting circumstances. High vigor and drooping bearing. Not very compact bunches. Clone appreciated for the configuration of its bunches, its low production potential, the color and the quality of the wines obtained.

  • N
  • 471

  • Drôme

  • ENTAV

  • 1976

  • Côtes-du-Rhône;
    Languedoc;
    Provence

  • 12.64 ha

  • Agronomic Data

  • Fertility medium to high

  • Production level medium to high

  • Cluster weight medium

  • Vigor high

  • Berry size medium

  • Susceptibility to Botrytis medium

  • Technological Data

  • Sugar richness medium to high

  • Color potential medium to high

  • Total acidity medium

  • Tannic structure medium to high

  • Oenological skills round wines with good tannic structure on the palate

  • Other information

  • General note clone generally showing very few symptoms of decline. Less compact clusters. Good maturity despite the production level.

  • N
  • 524

  • Drôme

  • ENTAV

  • 1976

  • Côtes-du-Rhône;
    Languedoc;
    Provence

  • 7.37 ha

  • Agronomic Data

  • Fertility high

  • Production level high

  • Cluster weight high

  • Berry size medium to high

  • Susceptibility to Botrytis medium

  • Technological Data

  • Sugar richness medium

  • Total acidity medium

  • Oenological skills representative wines of the variety

  • Other information

  • General note clone showing very few symptoms of decline. Less compact clusters.

  • N
  • 747

  • Tarn-et-Garonne

  • ENTAV

  • 1981

  • Côtes-du-Rhône;
    Languedoc;
    Sud-Ouest

  • 16.57 ha

  • Agronomic Data

  • Fertility medium to high

  • Production level high

  • Cluster weight medium to high

  • Berry size high

  • Technological Data

  • Sugar richness low to medium

  • Color potential low to medium

  • Total acidity medium

  • Tannic structure low to medium

  • Oenological skills representative wines of the variety

  • Other information

  • General note clone showing very few symptoms of decline

  • N
  • 1140

  • Drôme

  • CA26 - IFV

  • 2012

  • Côtes-du-Rhône

  • -

  • Agronomic Data

  • Fertility medium to high

  • Production level low to medium

  • Cluster weight low

  • Vigor medium

  • Berry size low

  • Susceptibility to Botrytis low to medium

  • Technological Data

  • Sugar richness high

  • Color potential medium to high

  • Total acidity medium

  • Tannic structure high

  • Oenological skills wines appreciated for their olfactory quality and the balance on the palate

  • Other information

  • General note clone showing very few symptoms of decline. Appreciated for the quality of the wines obtained.

  • N
  • 1141

  • Rhône

  • CA26 - IFV

  • 2012

  • Côtes-du-Rhône

  • -

  • Agronomic Data

  • Fertility low to medium

  • Production level low

  • Cluster weight low

  • Vigor medium

  • Berry size low

  • Susceptibility to Botrytis low to medium

  • Technological Data

  • Sugar richness high

  • Color potential medium to high

  • Total acidity medium

  • Tannic structure high

  • Oenological skills wines appreciated for their olfactory quality and the balance on the palate

  • Other information

  • General note clone showing very few symptoms of decline. Appreciated for the quality of the wines obtained.

  • N
  • 1188

  • Rhône

  • CA26 - IFV

  • 2012

  • Côtes-du-Rhône

  • -

  • Agronomic Data

  • Fertility high

  • Production level medium

  • Cluster weight low

  • Vigor medium

  • Berry size low

  • Susceptibility to Botrytis low to medium

  • Technological Data

  • Sugar richness high

  • Color potential medium to high

  • Total acidity medium

  • Tannic structure high

  • Oenological skills Wines appreciated for their olfactory quality and the balance on the palate.

  • Other information

  • General note clone showing very few symptoms of decline. Appreciated for the quality of the wines obtained.

  • N
  • 1345

  • Haute-Saône

  • GIE Alienor - IFV

  • 2020

  • Languedoc

  • -

  • Agronomic Data

  • Fertility medium to high

  • Production level medium

  • Cluster weight medium to low

  • Berry size medium

  • Technological Data

  • Sugar richness medium

  • Color potential medium to high

  • Total acidity medium

  • Tannic structure medium to high

  • Oenological skills wines appreciated for their olfactory quality

  • Other information

  • General note clone showing very few symptoms of decline. Appreciated for the quality of the wines obtained.

  • N
  • 1346

  • Haute-Saône

  • GIE Alienor - IFV

  • 2020

  • Languedoc

  • -

  • Agronomic Data

  • Fertility medium to high

  • Production level medium

  • Cluster weight medium to low

  • Berry size medium

  • Technological Data

  • Sugar richness medium

  • Color potential medium to high

  • Total acidity medium

  • Tannic structure medium to high

  • Oenological skills wines appreciated for their olfactory quality

  • Other information

  • General note clone showing very few symptoms of decline. Appreciated for the quality of the wines obtained.

  • N
  • 1352

  • Drôme

  • CA26 - IFV

  • 2021

  • Côtes-du-Rhône, Languedoc, Roussillon

  • -

  • Agronomic Data

  • Fertility medium

  • Production level medium

  • Cluster weight medium

  • Vigor medium

  • Berry size medium

  • Technological Data

  • Sugar richness medium to high

  • Color potential medium to high

  • Total acidity medium

  • Tannic structure medium to high

  • Oenological skills wines appreciated for their olfactory quality

  • Other information

  • General note clone showing very few symptoms of decline. Appreciated for the quality of the wines obtained.

  • N
  • 1353

  • Drôme

  • CA26 - IFV

  • 2021

  • Côtes-du-Rhône, Languedoc, Roussillon

  • -

  • Agronomic Data

  • Fertility medium

  • Production level medium to high

  • Cluster weight medium to high

  • Vigor medium

  • Berry size medium to high

  • Technological Data

  • Sugar richness medium

  • Color potential medium to high

  • Total acidity medium

  • Tannic structure medium to high

  • Oenological skills wines appreciated for their olfactory quality

  • Other information

  • General note clone showing very few symptoms of decline. Appreciated for the quality of the wines obtained.

  • N
  • 1354

  • Drôme

  • CA26 - IFV

  • 2021

  • Côtes-du-Rhône, Languedoc, Roussillon

  • -

  • Agronomic Data

  • Fertility medium

  • Production level medium to high

  • Cluster weight medium to high

  • Vigor medium

  • Berry size medium

  • Technological Data

  • Sugar richness medium

  • Color potential medium to high

  • Total acidity medium

  • Tannic structure medium to high

  • Oenological skills wines appreciated for their olfactory quality and the balance on the palate

  • Other information

  • General note clone showing very few symptoms of decline. Appreciated for the quality of the wines obtained.