Hospice du Rhone: The Birth of Syrah
© Andy Abramson
May 31, 2003
Carole Meredith, a former 20 year professor at UC-Davis has been DNA marking wines for as long as anyone. Recently she tackled Syrah, debunking the more popular myth that Shiraz came from Iran and the city of Shiraz.
Based on DNA testing Meredith showed that the parents of Syrah came from France, leading to the conclusion that Syrah is indeed French in origin.
Using DNA profiling, Meredith explained that the father of Syrah is Dureza, a dark colored variety know to have been found in the Northern Rhone since "time immemorial" but is no longer found or planted anywhere. Syrah's mother is Mondeuse blanche, a white fruited variety that has about 12 acres left in France.
Well, as they say to all those who thought it came from someplace else ... Que Syrah, Syrah!
Cheers,
Andy Abramson
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