Texas Syrah

Que Shiraz Syrah – My Winespill

Que Shiraz Syrah ~ What will be will be. The Man Who Knew Too Much, the 1956 Alfred HItchcock remake of his 1941 film of the same name, shares a name but nothing else. Hitchcock took a different direction with the film that won an Academy Award for Best Original Song for “Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)”, sung by Doris Day. Hitchcock was quoted as describing the difference between the two films by saying, “Let’s say the first version is the work of a talented amateur and the second was made by a professional.” (Francois Truffaut (October 2, 1985). Hitchcock: A Definitive Study of Alfred Hitchcock. Simon & Schuster.)

Let’s say the first version is the work of a talented amateur and the second was made by a professional.

~ Alfred Hitchcock

Two Wines Share The Same Name

The two wines that share the same genes are called Syrah or Shiraz. Both are a dark wine, even darker than a Cabernet Sauvignon. These wines share the same red, rich concentrate of the darkest flavors such as blackberries, plums, black cherries, flowers, spices, dirt, chocolate, licorice, blueberries, cassis, pepper and truffles. The wine is produced by the Syrah grapes and are grown all over the world, they can also be categorized as Shiraz. Mainly in Australia are they called Shiraz.

The Same Yet Different

The same grape, but they have their differences. There was a landmark study about identical twins raised apart conducted by the University of Minnesota in 1979. It found one set of the twins with remarkable similarities. While genes can prove the type of grape and from where the grape was grown, it will range in the distinguishable flavors listed above. The flavors of each variety produced are dependent on the climate, the terrior, and the care given to each crop. The same way that identical twins raised apart may have a lot of similarities, yet they are not carbon copies. 

Mixed in Texas as a GSM, the “S” is for Syrah

In Texas, vintners blend the Syrah grape with Grenache and Mourvèdre to give it more balance and smoothness, the same way it has been mixed in the Rhône Valley of southern France for centuries. All of these grapes grow very well in the Texas heat and they are given the name GSM. Look for the Texas GSM mix, listed in order of the percentage in the wine: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre.

The “G” of the GSM grapes adds smoothness and plenty of sweet plum flavors to the mix. Grenache wines, by themselves, can oxidize quickly, which means it’s best to drink it right after bottling.

The “M” of the GSM is the Mourvèdre (moor-VEDr) grape which adds tannin and alcohol to the GSM blend and on it’s own can produce wines similar to a Merlot.

The “S” of the GSM is the beloved Syrah grape that was introduced into Australia in 1832 by James Busby, an immigrant who brought vine clippings from Europe with him. In Australia the Syrah grape is invariably called Shiraz just as most wine labeled Shiraz in the U.S. is from Australia.

Texas Syrah from Pedernales Cellars
Que Shiraz Syrah: 14% Grenache ~ 37% Syrah ~ 49% Mourvèdre

So whether it is Syrah, Shiraz or Texas GSM, you will enjoy a dark red or purple colored wine with a full-bodied flavor. Turn on the stereo, kick back and enjoy your favorite glass of Texas red!

To The Good Life, Whatever that May Be

Haha, I found this song on Spotify, with a similar title to my blog post… a nice smooth jazz arrangement.
And here is the classic Doris Day hit, Que Sera Sera.

error: Content is protected !!