the word 'syrah' is the french name for both the grape variety and the wine, which itself is believed to be derived from the city of shiraz in iran. this toponymic link reflects a long-standing but historically unproven romantic legend that the grape was brought from the middle east to the rhône valley. the name was adopted into english in the 20th century as the wine gained international popularity. an alternative name for the same grape, 'shiraz', used prominently in australia and other new world regions, comes directly from the iranian city's name, illustrating two linguistic branches stemming from the same geographical reference.

the word is a loanword and proper name; it is not productively formed from separable english morphemes.