Syrah

noun

Sy·​rah sē-ˈrä How to pronounce Syrah (audio)
1
: a grape whose skin has a dark blue to bluish-black color that was originally grown in the northern valley of the Rhone and is now widely grown elsewhere (as in California and Australia)
also : a vine producing Syrah grapes
2
: a red wine made from Syrah grapes

Examples of Syrah in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The road winds past vineyard after vineyard — this corner of South Africa is known for its Chardonnay and Syrah, its crisp Cap Classiques, and a winemaking history that dates back to the French Huguenots who settled here centuries ago. Rooksana Hossenally, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025 In tropical Thailand, growers are working with French grapes like Chenin blanc and Syrah to make exciting wines while experimenting with the region's unique climatic factors. Seth Eli Barlow, Arkansas Online, 17 June 2025 The Que Syrah Syrah is a spicy twist on sangria with wild strawberry cordial, pink peppercorns and syrah, and the Basbousa Ramos is a new take on a gin fizz, with Amalfi lemon, saffron, almond and coconut. Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 16 June 2025 Fans of well-aged wines should head to Burrell School on Summit Road for a selection of oldies from winemaker Dave Moulton’s library collection, including the sensational 2006 Spring Break Syrah from Pichon Estate, a vineyard above the Lexington Reservoir. Laura Ness, Mercury News, 10 June 2025 Nikki Ledbetter, wine director at 53 in midtown Manhattan, likes Riedel’s Extreme Cabernet, which is a large Bordeaux-style glass, because it can be used for Syrah, Merlot, and fuller-bodied Italian red wines like Aglianico. Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 10 June 2025 In France they can be made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Syrah, Carignan, Cinsault, and Mourvèdre and the Italians like to use Sangiovese as well as Nerello Mascalese grapes. Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 29 May 2025 The range’s festival special, Polyphonic 01, is a 15-year-old single malt made from a blend of seven distinct casks, including Grenache, Bourbon, Sauternes, Syrah, Amarone, Oloroso, and PX. Felipe Schrieberg, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025 Are the purple hues coming from the use of Syrah in the blend? Rachel King, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

French syrah, syrac

First Known Use

1974, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Syrah was in 1974

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Syrah.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Syrah. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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