Developed in the 1870s in France’s Rhône region where it is known as Durif or Petite Syrah this grape variety is more commonly known by its slightly anglicized synonym, Petite Sirah -- particularly in California. Petite Sirah has long been an important blending grape, prized primarily for its deep color and fairly intense tannin. It is the variety most often chosen to blend into zinfandel for added complexity, body, and to tone down the tendency of zins toward "jammy" fruit. Characteristically, these wines have dense blackberry fruit character, mixed with black pepper notes, licorice, smoked meats and tar.