Fire up your chili as the Bengals and the Rams battle it out. Pair it with beer? Please. The deep black fruit of Syrah is a great compliment to chili’s hearty meat and beans (or whatever version is your favorite). And while the Super Bowl is wholly American, I tried a few from all over the world. 

• Rhône: You can either begin or end your Syrah world tour in the Rhône – it’s like the Super Bowl champion with Hermitage being the MVP. Hermitage is a very small hill in the northern Rhône that produces some of the best Syrah in the world. Splurge with this black currant, cedary Domaine des Tourettes Hermitage. $90
• South Africa: Lismore was a favorite out of the ones I sampled – a surprising balance of intense black fruit and wonderful violet lightness. $54
• Israel: Covenant adds 10% Cabernet in its blend. It has a wonderful velvety texture and lots of black fruity depth without drowning in jamminess. $75 
• Languedoc: Château de Pennautier has less Syrah in its blend (Merlot 40%, Syrah 30%, Cabernet Sauvignon 20% Grenache 10%) but that added a really nice balance and was one of the best values of the bunch. $18 
• Argentina: LOVED this Trapiche, with notes of wild blackberry, black pepper, dark cocoa, and the characteristic grilled meat. $57 

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