Argentina, one of the world’s most exciting wine regions, is home to a diverse array of grape varieties, with Syrah playing a key role in its wine production. Known for its expressive flavours and rich textures, Syrah has steadily gained recognition in Argentina, especially in the country’s prominent wine-growing provinces. With its origins in the Middle East and a wide-reaching presence in global wine regions, Argentina’s embrace of Syrah is a story of adapting a centuries-old variety to new terroirs, producing wines that are unique, complex, and undeniably expressive. The Syrah grape, also known as Shiraz in many regions, has a debated origin.

While some suggest it comes from the city of Shiraz in Persia (modern-day Iran), others believe it was brought to France by the Romans. Syrah found a notable home in the Rhône Valley, where it became a cornerstone of French winemaking. Its global journey has seen it adapt to many different climates and terroirs, including those of Australia, South Africa, California, in addition to Argentina. Syrah was not widely cultivated in this country until the late 20th century, and then much later, around the early 2000s, its popularity began to grow.

Argentina’s favourable climate for viticulture, particularly in regions like Mendoza and San Juan, has allowed Syrah to flourish. Its ability to adapt to the varied Argentine terroirs, combined with the country’s growing winemaking expertise, has solidified Syrah’s place as one of the nation’s most important and beloved red wine varieties. Syrah has become an integral part of Argentina’s wine industry, contributing to the diverse offerings of Argentine red wines. In 2022, Syrah was cultivated on a total of 11,108 hectares, which made up about 5.4 per cent of the country’s total vineyard area. By 2024, this number dropped slightly to 10,420 hectares, representing 5.2 per cent of Argentina’s vineyards, according to the country’s National Institute of Viticulture.

Despite the minor fluctuation in vineyard acreage, Syrah remains one of the top varieties in the country, and its presence is especially notable in Mendoza and San Juan. The province of Mendoza stands out as the leading region for Syrah cultivation, with 7,700 hectares in 2024, accounting for 73.9 per cent of the country’s Syrah. Mendoza’s diverse terroirs, particularly in regions like San Martín, Lavalle, and San Rafael, provide ideal conditions for Syrah’s growth. Mendoza’s Eastern Zone, which includes the San Martín and Lavalle areas, alone contributes to over 43 per cent of the Syrah cultivation in the province.

San Juan, Argentina’s second-largest producer of Syrah, follows with 1,930 hectares (18.5 per cent) of the national Syrah production. The vineyards located in the Caucete and Sarmiento areas of this province are the primary regions for Syrah, with each accounting for around 20 per cent of the total area devoted to this variety in San Juan. The region’s climate is more arid compared to Mendoza, which imparts a different character to its Syrah wines, often with more concentrated flavours and a deeper colour profile. San Juan’s Syrah tends to be bolder and richer, showcasing ripe fruit flavours with an underlying layer of earthy complexity.

Syrah is known for its expressive and robust nature, and Argentine Syrah wines are no exception. The flavour profile of Syrah from Argentina varies depending on the region in which it is grown, but common notes include dark fruits such as blackberry, plum, and cherry, with hints of leather, spice, and herbs like rosemary and thyme. These wines often display a balance of fruitiness and earthy undertones, with a mouthfeel that is both velvety and structured. The acidity is well-placed, allowing the wine to age gracefully, developing deeper complexity over time.

Earlier this month, on February 18, 2025, World Syrah Day was globally celebrated and in commemoration, Thursday Food explores five outstanding labels from Argentina:

Finca La Anita Syrah is a 100 per cent varietal produced by Finca La Anita in the Alto Agrelo area of the Luján de Cuyo region in Mendoza, Argentina. This wine is a classic label in this winery, being velvety, unctuous and pleasant both on the nose and on the palate. It also exhibits clear and intense notes of cassis, fresh blackberries and spices on the nose. In the mouth, its texture is supported by a vibrant and refreshing acidity.

Finca Flichman Reserve Syrah is produced in the Barrancas area of Maipú, Mendoza, from 100 per cent Syrah grapes by Finca Flichman. It has a 13 per cent alcoholic volume and is deep red with fruity aromas where plum stands out delicately blended with oak, flowers and dried herbs. On the palate this syrah is a complex concentration of fruits as well as herbs, along with a fruity, long and round finish.

Xumek Syrah is a 100 per cent varietal with a 14.5 per cent alcoholic volume by Bodega Xumek in Valle del Zona, San Juan. It is deep red with excellent nuances, exhibits spicy notes of black and red fruits on the nose, in addition to being opulent fruity, mature and complex in the mouth

Pyros Appellation Syrah, another 100 per cent varietal, is made by Pyros Wines from grapes at their vineyards in the Pedernal Valley of San Juan. It has a 14 per cent alcoholic volume with a deep red colour and a marked violet hue. The nose is very fruity with hints of fresh red fruits and jams, as well as a delicate complexity, provided by its ageing in oak barrels. On the palate it has a good structure with sweet and silky tannins, in addition to very good natural acidity, ending in an elegant and persistent finish.

Luca Laborde Double Select Syrah by Luca Wines, comprises 100 per cent Syrah grapes from La Consulta, Mendoza. This wine has a deep violet colour expressing aromas of cigar, leather and smoked meat on the nose. Subtly toasted oak also appears along with earthy notes and baking spices like nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves. In he mouth, sweet tannins underpin flavours of blueberry jam, black cherries and hints of rhubarb.

In 2024, Argentina’s Syrah production saw a significant boost, with 952,636 quintals produced, 39 per cent more than the previous year, reflecting the growing popularity of Syrah in both domestic and international markets. It also remains an important export, with key markets including the United Kingdom, Brazil, the United States, Canada, and the Netherlands. As Argentina continues to fine-tune its viticulture practices, Syrah will undoubtedly remain a key player in the nation’s future wine production, offering new opportunities for wine lovers around the world to explore the unique expressions of this ancient variety. Salud!