There is something comforting about observing the soft rain-kissed views from your balcony as you sip a glass of red, velvety wine. Whether you’re curled up with your favorite comfort show or enjoying a warm bowl of pasta or soup, chances are that deep, full-bodied pour in your glass is a delicious Shiraz.
And what better time to celebrate this bold and beloved wine than on Shiraz Day 2025? Celebrated on every fourth Thursday of July, i. e. 24 July in 2025, Shiraz Day is a celebration of this unique, velvety red wine that has made so many of our wine sessions much more enjoyable!
It was very recently in 2020 that the world came together to celebrate Shiraz Day, thanks to the international efforts of Sydney based Mastermind Consulting. The red grapes used to make Shiraz wine are called by different names in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Shiraz is often referred to as Syrah in the Northern hemisphere.
While the Northern Hemisphere had a day to celebrate this red, velvety wine in the form of International Syrah Day (February 16), the Southern Hemisphere lacked such a celebration. Even though Australia and New Zealand’s Shiraz was globally renowned, it did not have a particular ‘day’ to honor the making and manufacturing of this unique wine until 2020.
Even though technically both Shiraz and Syrah use the same red grapes, both the wines differ stylistically and geographically.
In today’s winemaking, Shiraz red wine has come to represent an alternative to the Syrah grape wine. The modern ‘Shiraz’ grape is, in fact, quite identical to Syrah grapes that originate in Southeastern France.
Historically, the name ‘Shiraz’ has been associated with the wine produced in the ancient city of Shiraz in Iran. By the ninth century, Shiraz emerged as one of the world’s most prominent wines, gaining recognition across the globe. Shiraz, the city, was known as Iran’s wine capital for its world-famous wine, but the reputation died down by the 20th century, thanks to the Islamic Revolution of 1979.
Today, Shiraz wine is not legally produced in Iran due to the Islamic law that prohibits alcohol consumption. Before 1979, Iran was, in fact, home to about 300 wineries, can you believe that? Today, only Iranian Christians are permitted to ferment wine for their religious ceremonies and rituals.
The silky, smooth, and velvety red wine is best enjoyed with friends and family, as you sip away the goodness of the d wine.
Invite your friends, get bottles of Shiraz red wine, and host a cozy house party. It need not be an energetic one where everyone is dancing on the floor, it can also be a cozy celebration where you simply have good food, gossip with friends, and vibe to great music.
Play unique party games and host icebreakers to make everyone more comfortable and familiar to each other. You can also decorate your house with pretty, warm lights, soft cushions, extra seating, and accent pieces to set the mood just right!
However, if most of your friends are busy and you’re feeling like you could really use your ‘alone time’ to relax, then we recommend grabbing a bottle or two and watching your comfort show. If shows and movies seem too much of an ‘investment’, you can simply play good music and read a book with a glass of wine.
And even if you don’t feel like reading, you can sit by the window or the balcony, take in views (and some breeze), and just enjoy your ‘me time’. Wine and cooking is another banger combination that we recommend you try if you’ve found a recipe online.
If your inner social butterfly feels like fluttering outside for a fun time, we recommend attending local events that are celebrating Shiraz Day 2025. There are many bars, pubs, and restaurants that celebrate such topical days to attract patrons, so you might as well look for such events. That way, you’ll not only get to enjoy good Shiraz wine but also get to socialize with others.
There are so many more activities you can do yourself with a glass of wine by your side – do what makes you happy!
Shiraz is a versatile red wine that pairs well with classic food items like slow-cooked barbecue ribs. The wine’s bold and complex flavors match well with barbecue-like sweet and spicy flavors. Be it barbecue fries, barbecue-glazed chicken, or barbecue steaks, Shiraz pairs well with these flavors.
And not just this, the wine also pairs well with more creamier, fuller, and cheese-filled dishes like pasta bowls. Pair it with mushroom risotto, a classic bolognaise, or a pepperoni pizza and watch the magic unfold.
If savory’s not on the menu and you’re in the mood for something sweet and decadent, we recommend pairing the wine with a creamy cheesecake or a dark chocolate cake!
“When to drink a Shiraz?” Well, now you have an official occasion to drink Shiraz wine! But to be very honest, you need no occasion to enjoy this beautiful, full-bodied red wine.
Whether you’re feeling the blues or catching up with a friend, a glass of Shiraz red wine is your perfect companion. So, this Shiraz Day 2025, its time to celebrate this red wine that has captivated patrons for centuries and ages with its distinct flavor profile and irresistible appeal!
