Introducing our new Nihilist Petite Sirah, a full-bodied red wine with bold fruit flavors followed by notes of spicy black pepper, sweet vanilla, and clove.
Hailing from California, this deep, opaque red wine is bursting with antioxidants and complex flavors.
Nihilist Wines
Nihilist wines are all about trusting your taste. You don’t need a fancy wine critic to tell you whether or not the wine is good! At the end of the day, wine tasting is such an individual experience, and there’s no objective truth. Only our senses. So trust your instincts and trust your taste, nothing else.
Nihilist Petite Sirah
This full-bodied Petite Sirah showcases bold fruit flavors of elderberry, blackcurrant and black cherry alongside spicy black pepper and sweet vanilla and clove. It’s opaque color and soft tannins make this red a sight to behold.
Petite Sirah: Common Misconceptions
The world of wine terminology can be a little misleading at times. For instance, Syrah and Petite Sirah are two entirely different grapes. And we’ll be the first to admit, the spelling variations can make your head start to spin.
People often assume a Petite Sirah is a “little” version of a Syrah - perhaps a little less bold, with less body. While this logic makes sense to the rest of the world, apparently those who name wines disagree.
If you thought, “Syrah is too bold for me, so I’ll go for a Petite Sirah,” think again.
Petite Sirah and Syrah are both full-bodied red wines, but they differ on a few fronts. Syrah (or Shiraz in Australia) tends to be more smoky or savory. Petite Sirah, on the other hand, tends to be more spicy. Think of it as a more full-bodied version of jammy Zinfandel.
Oh, and all of this is completely independent of Petit Verdot (Petit with no e!) which is a blending grape from Bordeaux. It gets a bit convoluted, we know.
So, to recap, Syrah and Shiraz are the same thing and can be used interchangeably. Petite Sirah (spelled with an e and an i) is an entirely different grape with it’s own unique flavors and characteristics. Petit Verdot is a topic for a different day.
California’s Rare Gem
Our Nihilist Petite Sirah, like many of its kind, hails from the state of California. Petite Sirah is actually an extremely rare grape - there are only 9,800 acres grown worldwide and over 75% of those acres are in California.
While it’s consumed all around the country, you’ll rarely find it growing outside the Golden State. This rare gem does thrive in Sonoma and Napa, but a large amount of this wine comes from the inland valley regions like Lodi and Central Valley, California.
You can expect an inky, opaque color and jammy fruit flavors like blackberry jam, brambles, and black pepper. Smooth acidity and bold tannins complement the sweet berry flavors.
Pairing Nihilist Petite Sirah
With a high tannin red like Petite Sirah, you’ve got to go bold. Pair this wine with richer, fatty foods to strike that perfect balance. Bold, exotic spice and herbs are a definite ‘yes!’ as long as the dish isn’t too sweet.
In Vino Finito
If you think our Nihilist Petite Sirah is a great match for you, we think so too! Reach out to our Wine Concierge team at concierge@brightcellars.com to get it in your next box.
