Comparison
Chianti vs Hawke’s Bay Syrah
How Chianti and Hawke’s Bay Syrah differ, dimension by dimension.
The short answer
The main differences: Hawke’s Bay Syrah has more spice; Hawke’s Bay Syrah has more floral character; Chianti has more herbal / green character.
Choose
Chianti
Choose Chianti if you want something more herbal and green, earthier, fresher and more acidic.
Choose
Hawke’s Bay Syrah
Choose Hawke’s Bay Syrah if you want something spicier, more floral, more tannic and structured.
Where they genuinely differ
Only differences large enough to notice in the glass are listed here. A gap of half a point on a five-point scale is noise, and WineHQ does not dress it up as a finding.
Spice
Clear differencePepper, clove, cinnamon and related spice notes, whether from the grape (as with rotundone in Syrah) or from oak.
Hawke’s Bay Syrah is spicier: high against low.
Floral character
Clear differenceBlossom, rose, violet, elderflower, acacia and related aromatic notes.
Hawke’s Bay Syrah is more floral: medium-plus against low.
Herbal / green character
Clear differenceHerbs, grass, blackcurrant leaf, capsicum and other green notes, largely driven by methoxypyrazines and picking decisions.
Chianti is more herbal and green: medium against low.
Earthy character
Clear differenceForest floor, mushroom, wet stone, clay and undergrowth notes. Frequently, though not exclusively, associated with cooler and more traditional styles.
Chianti is earthier: medium against low.
Acidity
Clear differenceTotal perceived acidity. Rises in cooler climates and with earlier picking; falls with heat and ripeness.
Chianti is fresher and more acidic: high against medium-plus.
Tannin
Clear differencePhenolic compounds from grape skins, seeds, stems and oak. The principal structural axis of red wine.
Hawke’s Bay Syrah is more tannic and structured: medium-plus against medium.
Where they are much the same
Just as useful: knowing which parts of the choice do not matter.
- Sweetness: Similar — both low.
- Alcohol: Similar — both medium-plus.
- Aromatic intensity: Similar — both medium.
- Savoury character: Similar — both medium-plus.
- Carbonation: Similar — both low.
Full side by side
| Dimension | Chianti | Hawke’s Bay Syrah |
|---|---|---|
| Spice | low (1/5) | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) |
| Floral character | low (1/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Herbal / green character | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | low (1/5) |
| Earthy character | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium (3/5) | low (1/5) |
| Acidity | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Tannin | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Body | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Fruit intensity | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Oak influence | typically low-medium, ranging from low to medium (2/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Perceived freshness | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Texture | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium (3/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Sweetness | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Alcohol | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Aromatic intensity | medium (3/5) | medium (3/5) |
| Savoury character | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Carbonation | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Serve at | 15–17°C | 15–17°C |
| Typical flavours | sour cherry, tomato leaf, dried herbs, red plum, leather | blackberry, black pepper, violet, olive, plum |
Values are typical points within each wine’s range. Both wines vary — see the individual pages for how much.