The red grape variety originates from France. There are over 80 synonyms that testify to its great age and worldwide distribution in almost all wine-growing countries. The most important from a historical perspective are Hermitage, Shiraz (Australia); Antournerein Noir, Candive, Marsanne Noir, Marsanne Noire, Petite Sirrah, Petite Syrah, Scyras, Sérène, Serine, Sira, Sirac, Sirah, Syra, Syrac (France); Balsamina, Neiretta Cunese, Neiretta del Monregalese, Neiretta del Rosso, Neiretta di Saluzzo, Zagarese (Italy); Neretto del Beinale (Spain); Shiraz (South Africa); Zizak (Montenegro).

Origin

There are many hypotheses about its origin. According to the most common one, the variety originated in the ancient city of Shiraz in Iran (Persia). Incidentally, the famous Persian poet Hafiz (1324-1388) also came from this city. It is said to have been brought to France from there by the French crusader Gaspard de Sterimberg around 1225.

According to another hypothesis, it is a descendant of the ancient Allobrogica grape variety mentioned by Pliny the Elder (23-79) and Columella (1st half of the 1st century). The former also described a "black Aminea" from Syria, which was also assumed to be an ancestor. Other possible origins include the Greek island of Syra in the Cyclades, the city of Syracuse in Sicily and Albania. However, there is no evidence for any of these hypotheses.

Ancestry

The ancestry (parentage) was clarified by DNA analyses carried out in 2000 by Dr Carole Meredith and J. E. Bowers (University of California) in collaboration with Jean-Michel Boursiquot(Montpellier). The Syrah...