Syrah is a grape that traditionally comes from the Northern Rhône area of France. In most other parts of the world, it's called Shiraz, which is the exact same grape. The Australians started calling their Syrah Shiraz, and their wines became so popular that the rest of the world for the most part has followed suit. In Australia, Syrah is frequently blended with Cabernet Sauvignon.

Syrah/Shiraz wines classically taste like blackberry and fruit flavors. In cooler climates like the Rhône valley, the wine will be high in tannins and acidity and  have secondary charateristics of black pepper and occasionally mint. In warmer climates, like Australia, Shiraz is even fuller in body, but has softer tannins and secondary notes of sweeter spices, leather, and sometimes liquorice.