The tradition of wine making in Iran stretches back centuries. It’s believed that Shiraz was one of the main areas in which grapes were grown and harvested for wine making purposes. But the controversial question is if the name “Shiraz” is somehow related to the popular Shiraz wine or not.
Chemical analysis on a 7,000 year old clay jar, discovered back in 1968 in Zagros Mountains in Iran, revealed wine residues. Shiraz wine was mentioned in multiple occasions in the poetry of Hafez, the famous poet of Shiraz, in 14th century. Later in 17th century, French merchants tasted Shiraz wine when travelled to Persia. Local wine experts at Rhone valley in south France, home of the Syrah wine, state that a 13th century knight brought this type of wine from Persia.
Australia is the biggest producer of Syrah and the wine is always called Shiraz. Syrah vines first imported to Australia in 19th century by James Busby, also known as the father of Australian wine industry. According to his notes, this vine, labelled as Scyras, was originally brought from Shiraz; so he decided to use the work “Shiraz” instead.
However, DNA testing carried out in 1998 revealed that Syrah grape is a natural crossing of two local vines of this area and no genetic connection exists between wines of Shiraz and Syrah grapes.
Regardless of Shiraz wine’s origin, we must agree that this is among the most popular wines that reminds people of beautiful city of Shiraz while enjoying a glass of it.
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