Comparison
McLaren Vale Shiraz vs Saperavi
How McLaren Vale Shiraz and Saperavi differ, dimension by dimension.
The short answer
The main differences: Saperavi has more acidity; Saperavi has more earthy character; Saperavi has more sweetness.
Choose
McLaren Vale Shiraz
Choose McLaren Vale Shiraz if you want something stronger and warmer, fuller and richer, fruitier.
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.
Acidity
Clear differenceTotal perceived acidity. Rises in cooler climates and with earlier picking; falls with heat and ripeness.
Saperavi is fresher and more acidic: high against medium.
Earthy character
Clear differenceForest floor, mushroom, wet stone, clay and undergrowth notes. Frequently, though not exclusively, associated with cooler and more traditional styles.
Saperavi is earthier: medium against low.
Sweetness
Clear differencePerceived sugar in the finished wine, driven mainly by residual sugar but modified by acidity, alcohol and fruit ripeness.
Saperavi is sweeter: low-medium against low.
Alcohol
Clear differencePerceived alcoholic strength, which tracks actual ABV but is modified by sweetness, acidity and body.
McLaren Vale Shiraz is stronger and warmer: high against medium-plus.
Body
Clear differenceThe overall weight and viscosity of the wine in the mouth — a composite of alcohol, sugar, extract and glycerol.
McLaren Vale 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.
McLaren Vale Shiraz is fruitier: high against medium-plus.
Where they are much the same
Just as useful: knowing which parts of the choice do not matter.
- Tannin: Similar — both medium-plus.
- Aromatic intensity: Similar — both medium.
- Floral character: Similar — both low.
- Herbal / green character: Similar — both low.
- Spice: Similar — both medium.
Full side by side
| Dimension | McLaren Vale Shiraz | Saperavi |
|---|---|---|
| Acidity | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) |
| Earthy character | low (1/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Sweetness | low (1/5) | typically low-medium, ranging from low to low-medium (2/5) |
| Alcohol | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Body | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) |
| Fruit intensity | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Oak influence | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically low-medium, ranging from low to medium (2/5) |
| Savoury character | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Perceived freshness | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Texture | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Tannin | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) |
| Aromatic intensity | medium (3/5) | medium (3/5) |
| Floral character | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Herbal / green character | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Spice | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Carbonation | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Serve at | 16–18°C | 16–18°C |
| Typical flavours | blackberry, red plum, dark chocolate, sea salt, liquorice | damson, sour plum, blackcurrant, liquorice, tobacco |
Values are typical points within each wine’s range. Both wines vary — see the individual pages for how much.