A guide to saying it correctly
How to Pronounce Shiraz
Learn how to pronounce Shiraz correctly with this simple guide, ensuring you sound confident when ordering your next glass of red wine.
shiraz
shih-RAHZ
/ʃɪˈrɑːz/ · shi · raz
Native US English · Kokoro neural TTS · 0:01
It refers to a popular dark-skinned grape variety used to produce full-bodied red wines, particularly those from Australia.
Where the word comes from
The word is named after the city of Shiraz in Iran, which was historically famous for its wine production, though modern genetic testing suggests the grape variety originated in France.
Common ways people get it wrong
- SHY-raz People often assume the first syllable sounds like the word shy, but the vowel is a short i sound as in ship.
- SHEER-az Avoid lengthening the first vowel; keep it short and crisp to match the standard pronunciation.
Frequently asked
Is Shiraz pronounced the same as Syrah?
No, they are different. While they are the same grape variety, Syrah is pronounced see-RAH, while Shiraz is shih-RAHZ.
Where should I put the stress in Shiraz?
The stress belongs on the second syllable. Focus on hitting the RAH sound with more emphasis than the first syllable.
Is the z at the end of Shiraz silent?
No, the z is fully pronounced. Make sure to voice the z sound clearly at the end of the word.
