A grape with a checkered history in the U.S. First brought
to the continent in the nineteenth century as Syrah (the
great red grape of France’s Rhône Valley), later
clones were identified as Durif, a minor red variety of
the Rhône. Recent DNA mapping technologies in California indicate that various varietals are among those grapes identified
as Petite Sirah. Depending upon a given vineyard’s
location and age, various clones of Durif, Peloursin, Mondeuse,
Grenache, Zinfandel, Carignane and Syrah may be present.
In practice, the so-called Petite Sirah generally produces
wines of deep red color and lusty character that require
aging.
While beer is associated more with cooling, winter beers are fuller in body and maltier than standard styles, giving imbibers that warm, fuzzy feeling.