Syrah vs Zinfandel

Syrah is fuller and more tannic.

Sweetness, body, tannin and acidity are our rating of a typical dry table wine from each grape.

Syrah

Red · France, Italy

dark fruit, pepper, smoke

Zinfandel

Red · Uncertain, most likely Montenegro

jammy, spicy, high alcohol

Bone dry
Sweetness: Bone dry; Very full
Body: Full; High
Tannin: Medium; Medium
Acidity: Medium; 13.5 to 15%
Alcohol: 14 to 16%; 16 to 18 °C
Serve at: 16 to 18 °C; Rhône Valley, California, Texas, Columbia Valley
Regions: California, Apulia, Dalmatia, Skadar Lake Basin

Only Syrah

Lamb
Sausages
Game

Both pair with

Barbecue and smoked meat

Only Zinfandel

Pizza
Chili and spiced beans
Hard and aged cheese

Sources

Style profiles, pairings and serving figures are our own assessment. Regions and origins: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0); see the Syrah and Zinfandel pages.