Nothing scores higher on the intensity meter than syrah. A great syrah will entice with its notes of fruit, spice, and textures. As such, syrahs pair terrifically with meats from beef and lamb to pork, game, and tuna. It pays to play up syrah’s spice with use of aromatics like garlic and alliums, peppercorns and peppers (bells as well as chiles), cinnamon and clove, all mushrooms, mustards, ginger, bay, basil, mints, parsley, sage, rosemary, oregano, and thyme. Grilling and roasting are always good ideas, but bringing out the sweetly scented berry or plum qualities of syrah by first marinating any number of ways is also good. Herewith, three noteworthy syrah pairings:

Cumin-spiced burgers with Harissa Mayo

Shanghai Stir-Fried Pork with Cabbage

Lamb Ragout with Olives and Peppers