petite sirah
noun
petite si·rah -sə-ˈrä 
variants or less commonly petite syrah
often capitalized P&S
: a dry red wine of spicy fruitiness made from a grape grown chiefly in California
also : the grape
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web This Equinox Red is a blend of petite sirah and merlot, with a splash of zinfandel, sourced from Paso Robles, Mendocino and Lake County. 
Washington Post, 24 Mar. 2022 Carol Shelton’s work with old-vine zinfandel helped inspire this Rhône-style blend of carignane, grenache noir, mourvèdre, alicante bouschet and petite sirah, varieties that are often intermixed with zinfandel in California’s oldest vineyards. Washington Post, 3 Mar. 2022 Vino Tintoque’s current portfolio includes wines made with petite sirah, cabernet sauvignon, carménère, cabernet franc, merlot, marsanne, roussanne and viognier. Michael Alberty | For The Oregonian/oregonlive, oregonlive, 15 Feb. 2022 Scott Kirkpatrick never cared much for petite sirah. New York Times, 21 Oct. 2021 This juicy cabernet sauvignon captures some of California’s opulence with a velvety texture, aided by 15 percent petite sirah from Lodi rounding out the blend. Washington Post, 25 June 2021 After navigating steep switchbacks, Mr. Whitlatch reached a row of vines growing petite sirah grapes that were coated with a thin layer of white. New York Times, 18 July 2021 The new acreage is planted in different varietals, including malbec, tempranillo, merlot, mourvèdre, grenache, petite sirah and Montepulciano, all southern French or Italian varietals suited to the vineyard’s Mediterranean-style climate. Nicole Sours Larson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 June 2021 The 2017 vintage of the petite sirah costs about $26, and is still considered by many to be among the best of that variety. Washington Post, 30 Apr. 2021 See More
Washington Post, 24 Mar. 2022 Carol Shelton’s work with old-vine zinfandel helped inspire this Rhône-style blend of carignane, grenache noir, mourvèdre, alicante bouschet and petite sirah, varieties that are often intermixed with zinfandel in California’s oldest vineyards. Washington Post, 3 Mar. 2022 Vino Tintoque’s current portfolio includes wines made with petite sirah, cabernet sauvignon, carménère, cabernet franc, merlot, marsanne, roussanne and viognier. Michael Alberty | For The Oregonian/oregonlive, oregonlive, 15 Feb. 2022 Scott Kirkpatrick never cared much for petite sirah. New York Times, 21 Oct. 2021 This juicy cabernet sauvignon captures some of California’s opulence with a velvety texture, aided by 15 percent petite sirah from Lodi rounding out the blend. Washington Post, 25 June 2021 After navigating steep switchbacks, Mr. Whitlatch reached a row of vines growing petite sirah grapes that were coated with a thin layer of white. New York Times, 18 July 2021 The new acreage is planted in different varietals, including malbec, tempranillo, merlot, mourvèdre, grenache, petite sirah and Montepulciano, all southern French or Italian varietals suited to the vineyard’s Mediterranean-style climate. Nicole Sours Larson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 June 2021 The 2017 vintage of the petite sirah costs about $26, and is still considered by many to be among the best of that variety. Washington Post, 30 Apr. 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
French petite syrah, literally, little syrah (a grape variety)
First Known Use
1887, in the meaning defined above