Comparison
Grenache vs Shiraz
How Grenache and Shiraz differ, dimension by dimension.
The short answer
The main differences: Shiraz has more oak influence; Grenache has more herbal / green character; Shiraz has more tannin.
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.
Oak influence
Clear differencePerceptible impact of barrel or alternative oak contact — vanilla, toast, coconut, smoke, cedar and added texture.
Shiraz is more oaky: medium-plus against low-medium.
Herbal / green character
Clear differenceHerbs, grass, blackcurrant leaf, capsicum and other green notes, largely driven by methoxypyrazines and picking decisions.
Grenache is more herbal and green: medium against low.
Tannin
Clear differencePhenolic compounds from grape skins, seeds, stems and oak. The principal structural axis of red wine.
Shiraz is more tannic and structured: medium-plus against medium.
Body
Clear differenceThe overall weight and viscosity of the wine in the mouth — a composite of alcohol, sugar, extract and glycerol.
Shiraz is fuller and richer: high against medium-plus.
Fruit intensity
Clear differenceHow loudly the fruit flavours speak, independent of whether they are ripe or tart.
Shiraz is fruitier: high against medium-plus.
Floral character
Clear differenceBlossom, rose, violet, elderflower, acacia and related aromatic notes.
Grenache is more floral: low-medium against low.
Where they are much the same
Just as useful: knowing which parts of the choice do not matter.
- Sweetness: Similar — both low.
- Acidity: Similar — both medium.
- Alcohol: Similar — both high.
- Aromatic intensity: Similar — both medium.
- Savoury character: Similar — both medium.
Full side by side
| Dimension | Grenache | Shiraz |
|---|---|---|
| Oak influence | typically low-medium, ranging from low to medium (2/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) |
| Herbal / green character | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | low (1/5) |
| Tannin | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium (3/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Body | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) |
| Fruit intensity | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) |
| Floral character | typically low-medium, ranging from low to medium (2/5) | low (1/5) |
| Sweetness | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Acidity | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium (3/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium (3/5) |
| Alcohol | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) |
| Aromatic intensity | medium (3/5) | medium (3/5) |
| Savoury character | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium (3/5) |
| Spice | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Earthy character | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Perceived freshness | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium (3/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium (3/5) |
| Carbonation | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Texture | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) |
| Serve at | 15–17°C | 16–18°C |
| Typical flavours | strawberry, raspberry, dried herbs, white pepper, orange peel | blackberry, plum, dark chocolate, licorice, vanilla |
Values are typical points within each wine’s range. Both wines vary — see the individual pages for how much.
Read more
Grape
Grenache
A pale, high-alcohol, sweetly fruited Mediterranean variety that anchors Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Priorat.
Grape
Shiraz
The Australian name for Syrah, used to signal the riper, fuller, sweeter-fruited style the country made famous.
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