Syrah is one of the so-called “international” vines, because it is exported from France and cultivated throughout the world. It originally appears to come from the city of Schiraz, in Persia, from which it seems to have arrived in our country in ancient times through the city of Syracuse. Syrah may also have arrived from Albania, as there are some genetic affinities with the local Shesh vine. The best Syrahs of Tuscany are inspired by the Côte du Rhône, rich in fruity notes of blackcurrant, blackberry and plum, sometimes with smoky tones on a spicy background and measured tannicity. The cultivation of Syrah appears more problematic than that of other French vines, due to its sensitivity to water stress, the tendency to over-ripen and the notable worsening of the quality of the wine if the yields are too high. The evolution of cultivation techniques and the ever-increasing availability of high-quality clones are however able to contain these risks and the Syrah wines on the market are generally of good organoleptic pleasantness.