致敬：原来你是这样的西拉子 You say Syrah, I say Shiraz: Hail to a Great Grape

这种葡萄叫西拉 (Syrah)，在其他一些种植区也被称为设拉子 (Shiraz)，尤其是在澳大利亚，当然它们也有自己的节日。事实上，还是两天：7月28日是设拉子日，2月16日是西拉日。这意味着享受这种葡萄的理由增多了一倍。

The grape is Syrah—or Shiraz, as it is known in some places, notably Australia--and it has its very own day. In fact, two days: July 28 is Shiraz Day while February 16 is Syrah Day. That means twice as many extra reasons to enjoy this grape.

tussock jumper ins

DNA证据显示，西拉起源于法国的罗讷河Rhône地区，但传说它与伊朗的设拉子城有关。设拉子城是波斯的前首都，也是数千年来的酿酒中心。

DNA evidence shows that Syrah originates in the Rhône region of France though legend ties it to the city of Shiraz in Iran, a former capital of Persia and a wine-making center for thousands of years.

Photo from: Pixabay

全球葡萄酒最大生产国包括法国和澳大利亚，其中罗讷河不乏经典之酒，而在澳大利亚，设拉子是主要的葡萄品种，尤其与巴罗萨山谷的 “水果炸弹” 联系在一起。

The biggest producers today are France, with the Rhone most famous, and Australia, where it is the leading grape and especially associated with “fruit bombs” from the Barossa Valley.

Photo from 图源：vins-rhone.com

从新西兰的霍克斯湾 (Hawke’s Bay) 到南非的斯泰伦布什 (Stellenbosch)，再到美国的哥伦比亚谷 (Columbia Valley) ，西拉也被用来酿造美味的葡萄酒。中国也生产一些出色的西拉葡萄酒，尤其是在宁夏。

Syrah is also used to make delectable wines everywhere from Hawke’s Bay in New Zealand to Stellenbosch in South Africa to the Columbia Valley in the United States. China also produces some striking Syrah, especially in Ningxia.

Photo from 图源：Pixabay

西拉因地区而异，但通常酒体饱满，带有丰富的深色水果：黑莓、李子和黑樱桃。 “新世界”的往往更成熟、更有水果味和辛辣，而“旧世界”的通常更细腻精致，在辛辣的同时还带有咸味或泥土味。

Syrah varies by region but is generally full-bodied with ample dark fruit: think blackberry, plums and black cherry. “New World” versions tend toward riper, fruitier and peppery while “Old World” ones are typically leaner, crisper and with a savory or earthy edge along with that spiciness. 

以下是来自CHEERS齐饮的三种混酿的西拉葡萄酒。

Here are three blends to check out from CHEERS.

下周7月28日设拉子日，随便拿起一瓶又或者带上这三种混酿的葡萄酒，来一场世界巡演酒会吧。

Grab a bottle – or pick up all three of these blends and do a world tour – for Shiraz Day on July 28.

Original by Jim Boyce, Grape Wall of China 葡萄围城
原文作者：Jim Boyce, Grape Wall of China 葡萄围城

Tap here to read more original articles on wine culture.

点击这里，获取更多由品酒师撰写的葡萄酒知识。