Syrah: taste, styles and the dishes that match

38 styles and 585 dish scores from our sommelier database

What does Syrah taste like, and what should you serve with it? In our database this red grape is linked to dozens of styles and hundreds of dish scores from ten years of sommelier work. The essence: match the taste profile to the plate — as with Rump steak with mushrooms.

Taste profile (Wine DNA)

Acidity54
Body67
Tannin52
Fruit75
Oak43
Minerality24

Averaged across the styles in our database, Syrah shows fresh acidity, is full-bodied and exuberantly fruity, with soft tannins.

Well-known Syrah styles

Price-wise Syrah covers the full range: of the 38 styles in our database, 53% sit in the entry segment, 39% mid-range and 8% at the top end. You will find both a weekday bottle and a cellar-worthy wine in this grape.

The best-scoring dishes with Syrah

The dishes below come from our expert scoring: every combination was scored by sommeliers using the Wine DNA of both dish and wine. These are the strongest matches for Syrah styles, from classic to surprising.

  1. Rump steak with mushrooms — best style: Bergerac and Cahors
  2. Pizza Quattro Stagioni — best style: Barbera Piemonte
  3. Fried quorn — best style: Barbera Piemonte
  4. Boiled penne — best style: Barbera Piemonte
  5. Macaroni Bolognese — best style: Barbera Piemonte
  6. Spaghetti Bolognese — best style: Barbera Piemonte
  7. Pizza Quattro Stagioni with mushrooms and artichoke — best style: Barbera Piemonte
  8. Fried rabbit saddle with Provencal herbs — best style: Aglianico
  9. Fried hamburger — best style: Malbec
  10. Fried duck breast with red port sauce — best style: Tempranillo Spain modern style
  11. Duck Breast with Cranberries — best style: Tempranillo Spain modern style
  12. Spaghetti with Bolognaise — best style: Barbera Piemonte

Want to know if a specific bottle of Syrah matches your dish? Scan the label in the SommelierX app and see the match instantly.

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Frequently asked questions

What does Syrah taste like?
Averaged across the styles in our database, Syrah shows fresh acidity, is full-bodied and exuberantly fruity, with soft tannins. It varies by style: see the overview above.
What food goes with Syrah?
The highest scores in our sommelier work: Rump steak with mushrooms, Pizza Quattro Stagioni, Fried quorn. The full list is above.
Is Syrah a red wine?
In our database Syrah is mostly made as a red wine (38 linked styles); regional exceptions exist.

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