Petite Sirah

First discovered in the region of Isere, France, from the experimental vineyard of Francois Durif.  Petite Sirah is the result of a crossing between Syrah and Peloursin  The varietal retains the name of this grape breeder, Durif,  in France.  This grape variety was imported to California in the late 19th century, and became known as Petite Sirah.  Like many other Californian varietals with obscure origins,  it is only through DNA fingerprinting that Petite Sirah birthplace was successfully discovered.

 Petite Sirah became a popular varietal in the early 1900’s . After a peak of 14000 acres in 1976, plantings of this grape variety was considerably reduced to a low of 2400 acres in 1995.  It has since found a new life and acreage has been increasing regularly in the past 25 years.  Petite Sirah is particularly popular in the vineyard of the North Bay, such as sonoma, Napa and Mendocino.  It is found in other regions such as Livermore and San Luis Obispo

Late ripening, Vigorous varietal, producing tight clusters of small berries.  It can be susceptible to rotting in a rainy environment. Its particularly thick skins produces high skin-to-juice ratio, making for wines with bold tannins and concentrated flavors

Produces rich, dark wines that are rich in tannins.  Herbal, spicy and dark fruit aromas are often found.  Definitely improve with additional bottle aging.  These characteristics make the wine a great components for blend, as its best shown in wines made from Ridge vineyards in Sonoma or Caliza winery in Paso Robles.

Petite Sirah links to Durif caused the California’s Rhone Rangers to add the grape variety to its listing of Rhone varietals

  • Grilled or Smoked Meats: Petite Sirah pairs wonderfully with grilled or smoked meats. Enjoy it with juicy steaks, barbecued ribs, or smoky pulled pork. The wine's bold flavors and tannic structure complement the savory and charred notes of grilled or smoked meats.

  • Slow-Cooked or Braised Dishes: The richness and depth of Petite Sirah make it a great companion for slow-cooked or braised dishes. Try it with braised short ribs, beef stew, osso buco, or lamb shanks. The wine's robust character complements the tender and flavorful meats.

  • Game Meats: Petite Sirah's boldness and tannins pair well with game meats. Consider serving it with venison, wild boar, or duck. The wine's intensity matches the flavors of the game and helps cut through any richness.

  • Great Recipe: Barbecue Ribs