How to pronounce Syrah

What is Syrah?

A black grape variety producing full-bodied red wines with flavors of blackberry and black pepper.

Syrah is a dark-skinned grape used mainly for red wine. DNA work at the University of California, Davis in the late 1990s showed that it is the offspring of two little-known grapes from southeastern France, Dureza and Mondeuse Blanche, which points to an origin in or near the northern Rhône. Legends that it came from the Persian city of Shiraz or from Syracuse do not fit that finding.

In the northern Rhône, Syrah is the grape behind the reds of Hermitage, Côte-Rôtie and Cornas. From moderate climates like these the wines are medium to full-bodied, with blackberry, mint and black pepper notes. From hot climates, such as parts of Australia, they are fuller and softer, with jammier fruit and licorice notes.

Syrah and Shiraz are the same grape. Shiraz is the usual name in Australia and South Africa, while French and most American bottles say Syrah. French labels from the northern Rhône name the place, not the grape, so a bottle of Cornas or Hermitage is Syrah even though the word does not appear.

Syrah, syllable by syllable

Why Syrah is hard to say

In French, a y with no vowel letter beside it is simply another way of writing the vowel i, so it sounds like "ee". English spelling habits suggest the "eye" of "sky" or "my", which is where SIGH-rah comes from. The French reading is the same one you use at the end of Chambolle-Musigny and Savigny, where the y is also a clean "ee".

A French s at the start of a word is always the sharp s of "see". It only turns into a z sound between two vowels, as in rosé. So Syrah, Sancerre and Sauternes all open with the same hiss. The h at the end is never sounded, and French puts its light emphasis on the last syllable, as in Merlot and Gamay. The French r is made at the back of the throat, but an English r is fine.

Other accepted pronunciations

These are also correct, and Vinolingo scores them as correct:

• SIGH-rah — Established English form.

Tips for saying it

How to order Syrah

Say see-RAH at an even pace and let the second beat carry the weight. In English you will also hear sih-RAH and, especially in Britain, SIGH-rah. Both are established English forms and any server or shop assistant will understand them. If the list says Shiraz, use that name for that bottle.

• “I'll have a glass of the Syrah, please.” Two beats, ending on an open "ah".
• “Do you have a Syrah from the northern Rhône?” Expect labels such as Crozes-Hermitage or Saint-Joseph.

Names often confused with Syrah

• Shiraz (shih-RAZZ): The same grape under its Australian and South African name; it is said as an English word, so the z is sounded.
• Petite Sirah (puh-TEET see-RAH): A different grape, also called Durif: a 19th-century French cross of Syrah and Peloursin, now grown mainly in California and Australia.
• Hermitage (air-mee-TAHJ): A northern Rhône appellation whose red wine is Syrah; the label shows the place, not the grape.
• Côte-Rôtie (koht roh-TEE): Another northern Rhône Syrah, which may include a small share of the white grape Viognier.

Questions about pronouncing Syrah

How do you pronounce Syrah?

Syrah is pronounced see-RAH. It has two beats with the stress on the second one. The y sounds like "ee", the s is a sharp s as in "see", and the final h is silent.

Is it see-RAH or SIGH-rah?

Both are heard. The native French form is see-RAH, with the y read as "ee" and the stress on the last syllable. SIGH-rah is an established English form, listed as the British pronunciation in dictionaries, and it is accepted. English speakers also say sih-RAH or see-RAH, which sit close to the French.

Is the h silent in Syrah?

Yes. The h at the end of Syrah is not sounded in French or in English. The word finishes on an open "ah" vowel, as in "spa". The h only affects the spelling.

What is the difference between Syrah and Shiraz?

They are the same grape under two names. Syrah is the French name, used in France and on most American labels. Shiraz is the usual name in Australia and South Africa. The name on the label tells you where the producer takes their cue from, not that the grape is different.

What does Syrah taste like?

Syrah makes dark, medium to full-bodied red wine. Typical notes are blackberry and black pepper, sometimes with mint. Wines from hot climates are fuller and softer, with jammier fruit and licorice. With bottle age, Syrah can develop leather and truffle aromas.

Sources: Wikipedia: Syrah, Wikipedia: Durif, Dictionary.com: Syrah. Last reviewed 2026-10-10.