Petite Sirah

 

Name of varietal: Petite Sirah
 
Common synonyms: Durif, Petit Syrah, Petit Sirah, Petite Syrah (and other combinations thereof)
 
Parentage of the grape: Peloursin and Syrah from Rhone, France
 
History of the grape: Petite Syrah is often confused with its parent grape, Syrah, but it has been identified as a separate descendant. It was developed in the 1870s by a French horticulturalist, Francois Durif, who crossed Peloursin and Syrah in attempts to create a hybrid that was resistant to the powdery mildew (Oidium) epidemic. But it failed to meet quality standards and was still susceptible to bunch rot so it never quite caught on except as a blending grape. In the 1880s, California wine-maker Charles Melver planted it in his Mission San José vineyard and is credited as being the first to change its name from Durif to Petite Syrah. From there, the grape gained local popularity, particularly in the 1940s when efforts were made to produce wines with bolder flavor Read more »

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Popular Petite Sirah wines

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Popular Regions for Petite Sirah View all

  • California

    Viticulture in California began in the 1700s as Spanish missionaries worked their way north fro...

  • Sonoma County

      Wine-making in Sonoma, California began in 1812 when Russian colonists planted grapes at F...

  • Israel

      Wine has been produced in Israel since Biblical times, perhaps longer than anywhere in the...

  • Lake County

    Lake County is an emerging wine region within California’s North Coast, north of Napa. Clear La...

  • Napa

      There is some debate over how this famous wine region got its name. Spanish settlers named...

  • Paso Robles

    Paso Robles (“Oak Pass”) is part of San Luis Obispo county in California’s Central Coast. The f...

  • Yolo County

      Yolo County is an emerging wine region within the Central Valley district of California. T...

  • Lodi

    The Lodi wine region lies in the northern portion of California’s Central Valley, which include...

  • USA

    "American Wine" has existed since the first Europeans brought their vinous heritage and tradition...

Popular Wineries using Petite Sirah

  • Screaming Eagle Winery

      Screaming Eagle is a small winery based in Oakville, California. The original 57-acre (23 ...

  • Livingston Cellars

    Since 1984 and 17 years, the de facto estate wine of Livingston Moffett winery has been bottled ...

  • Dark Horse Wine

    Named 2007 Winemaker of the Year by the Sonoma County Harvest Fair, winemaker Michael Loykasek ha...

  • Matchbook

    Our Vision. "Produce wines we love to drink at prices we don't mind paying

  • Rockledge Vineyards

    High on the eastern slopes of Napa Valley just south of the town of St. Helena is a saddle covere...

  • Glass Mountain

    It has been more than hundred years since California wine pioneer Jean Laurent quarried stone fro...

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Petite Sirah on Snooth

  • Was Eric working the tasting room at Keating? Great guy, great wines, very ... ... ... I have his 2008 Rokpile Petite Sirah,  Monticello Cab and BGIII Cab in my cellar. Maybe it's time to open one.&nbs Read More

    Forum post in the topic Impromptu Napa trip... Where...


  • Oh and Ridge. You said Cab but I'm drinking their Zins from 94, 5, and 6 ... ... Bouschet (San Joaquin)5% Petite Sirah (Napa Valley)5% Carignane       &nbs Read More

    Forum post in the topic 1996 California Cabs


  • Ancient Peaks Petite Sirah Paso Robles 2009

    Snoothrank:

    Very dark color--more purple than red. Spicy nose--some anise. Big berry blast on the tip of the tongue. As it spreads over the palate, the berry fruit diminishes and the spicy/herbal thing happens--again, some anise, some pepper. Nice firm non-intrusive tannin. Some acid. Good wine. US$35.00 at the winery in Santa Margarita in December. Read More

    Wine review by EMark


  • Unfortunately, a bit north of your St. Helena upper bound (a tad NE of ... their raison d'etre is Petite Sira Read More

    Forum post in the topic Impromptu Napa trip... Where...


  • So I am going to Napa tomorrow for a few days.  I have some prearranged plans that cannot be changed, but have some limited  time for tasting.As "napagirl", I should already know exactly where to go.  The problem is, I get stuck into that rut of going to the ones I like, the old faves, over and over.  I would love to hear your recommendations an... Read More

    Forum post in the topic Impromptu Napa trip... Where...


  • Recently I was pleasantly surprised by a visit to Lodi, California. Long the ... ... degree for its excellent Petite Sirahs, but the region is undergoing an explosion of innovation that few regions can match. The lack of fame for any particular variety and the regions expansive size, with more acreage under vine than Napa and Sonoma combined, ... Read More

    From the article A Visit To Lodi


  • Vina Robles Red4 2009

    Snoothrank:

    Bought this wine on a discount - being a fan of the white counterpart. The nose is very Rhone Ranger with black cherry, pomegranate and stewed strawberry. On entry, there is wonderful, powerful red fruit - much like a Rhone-Villages with pedigree. Good finish with residual tannin (some storage for 2-3 years fine). Good grip but elegant. Don't... Read More

    Wine review by zufrieden


  • Peirano The Unknown 2009

    Snoothrank:

    70% Syrah, 20% Petite Sirah , 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% ViognierCoffee, leather, dried beef, dried bay leaf, and black pepper all come together on the salty, jammy plum laced nose. This is in the soft house style but but with more focus and snap that many of the wines here. Nice raw meat notes with a little hint of truffle greet the palate fo... Read More

    Wine review by Gregory Dal Piaz


  • Fields Family Wines Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel 2011

    Snoothrank:

    Raw beef, sage, bay and bay leaf all come together on the tight nose that shows an overlay of used wood. Opening with a burst of boysenberry this turns smooth polished and integrated in the mouth with a hint of milk chocolate accenting the clear if light fruit which is joined by a late arriving hint of green herb. Super fresh yet thoroughly rip... Read More

    Wine review by Gregory Dal Piaz


  • Fields Family Wines Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel 2009

    Snoothrank:

    Big berry fruit over an assertive base of briar wood thats a little spicy and a little gamy. This shows a touch of sweetness on entry followed by a smooth, polished mouthfeel delivering raspberry fruit with nice hints of briar and a little milk chocolatey-ness on the palate. Finishing with modest length, this does show good transparency, fine l... Read More

    Wine review by Gregory Dal Piaz


  • Fife Petite Syrah Port { Redhead Vineyards } 1995 Wonderful !!!! At Grocery Outlet for $4.99 A STEAL !!!

    Comment by 642274pswine101 642274 pswine101


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Petite Sirah wine ratings and reviews