Grapes / Compare
Zinfandel vs Syrah / Shiraz
The two barbecue reds. Zinfandel is riper and jammier with a touch of sweetness; Syrah is more savoury and peppery. Both handle smoke and char that would flatten a lighter wine.
Published 24 August 2026
The short answer
Syrah / Shiraz has a little more tannin than Zinfandel. Zinfandel has a little more sweetness than Syrah / Shiraz.
Zinfandel originates in California, United States and is most associated with Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma, Lodi, Paso Robles. Syrah / Shiraz originates in Northern Rhône, France, most associated with Hermitage, Rhône, Côte-Rôtie, Rhône, Barossa Valley.
Structure, side by side
Body
Tannin
Acidity
Sweetness
A 1-5 editorial judgement of the typical expression, not a measurement. Individual bottles vary more than the grape does — a warm-vintage example of the leaner wine can outweigh a cool-vintage example of the fuller one.
Zinfandel
Red · California, United States
Eat it with
- Barbecue
- Spicy sausage
- Beef burger
- Pizza with meat toppings
Look for it from
- Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma
- Lodi
- Paso Robles
- Primitivo di Manduria, Italy
Syrah / Shiraz
Red · Northern Rhône, France
Eat it with
- BBQ ribs
- Lamb
- Hard cheeses
- Smoked meats
Look for it from
- Hermitage, Rhône
- Côte-Rôtie, Rhône
- Barossa Valley
- McLaren Vale
Questions people ask
What is the difference between Zinfandel and Syrah / Shiraz?
Syrah / Shiraz has a little more tannin than Zinfandel; Zinfandel has a little more sweetness than Syrah / Shiraz. Zinfandel comes from California, United States; Syrah / Shiraz from Northern Rhône, France.
Which is drier, Zinfandel or Syrah / Shiraz?
Syrah / Shiraz is typically the drier of the two, but both are made across a range of styles — check the producer rather than the grape.
Which goes better with food?
Neither in general, both in particular. Zinfandel is a classic match for barbecue, spicy sausage, beef burger. Syrah / Shiraz suits bbq ribs, lamb, hard cheeses.
If I like Zinfandel, will I like Syrah / Shiraz?
The two barbecue reds. Zinfandel is riper and jammier with a touch of sweetness; Syrah is more savoury and peppery. Both handle smoke and char that would flatten a lighter wine.
Taste them side by side.
Scan both labels and SomeWine walks you through a structured tasting for each. One variable at a time is how this stops being theory.