If you like this, try…
Wines like Grenache
A pale, high-alcohol, sweetly fruited Mediterranean variety that anchors Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Priorat. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Grenache?
Optional — the results below already work without it. But “I like Malbec” is at least four different preferences wearing one name, and saying which one you mean changes the answer substantially. Only qualities this wine actually has are offered.
What these words mean
- How full and weighty it is
- Body is how much the wine seems to fill your mouth — the difference between skimmed and whole milk. It comes mostly from alcohol and ripeness.
- How smooth and soft it is
- Low tannin. Tannin is the drying, gum-gripping sensation in red wine — like strong tea. A smooth red has little of it.
- That it is not oaky
- No barrel character — just the fruit and the acidity. Chablis and Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc are the reference points.
- The herbal, green side
- Grass, blackcurrant leaf, green pepper, mint. It divides people more sharply than almost any other character.
- The spice
- Black pepper, clove, cinnamon. Some of it is the grape — the pepper in Syrah is a measured compound called rotundone — and some is the barrel.
- That it is properly dry
- No perceptible sugar at all. Almost all red wine is dry and a good deal of white wine is not, which is why this is a more useful thing to say about a white than about a red.
Looking for something moving away from too heavy, too plain or too simple, too peppery, too green or grassy and too austere.
Based on what you said
Ranked against the qualities you named rather than against the wine as a whole. The directions below are refined the same way.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- A little less heavy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less austere.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- A little less heavy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less austere.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- A little less heavy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- About as peppery as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less austere.
Pinot Noir
curatedLighter Grenache shares the pale colour and red-fruited, low-tannin character.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- About as peppery as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
Barbera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
Oregon Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Pinot Noir
curatedLighter Grenache shares the pale colour and red-fruited, low-tannin character.
Expect: Much higher acidity, far lower alcohol and an earthier, more delicate profile.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Change the structure
Same idea, different weight, grip or freshness.
Similar but lighter
Keeps the character but reduces weight, alcohol and density in the mouth.
Pinot Noir
curatedLighter Grenache shares the pale colour and red-fruited, low-tannin character.
Expect: Much higher acidity, far lower alcohol and an earthier, more delicate profile.
Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Barbera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Similar but lower in alcohol
Holds the character and the weight where it can, and moves specifically on strength. Note that below about 11% the choices narrow sharply, and below 5% they are mostly a different category rather than a lighter version of the same one.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.
Muscat Bailey A
Muscat Bailey A scores closest to Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter in alcohol.
Pinot Noir
curatedLighter Grenache shares the pale colour and red-fruited, low-tannin character.
Expect: Much higher acidity, far lower alcohol and an earthier, more delicate profile.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Barossa Shiraz
Both are made from grenache.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Touriga Nacional
Touriga Nacional scores closest to Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Toro
Toro scores closest to Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Barbera d’Alba
Barbera d’Alba scores closest to Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.
Naoussa Xinomavro
Naoussa Xinomavro scores closest to Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Xinomavro
Xinomavro scores closest to Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Pinot Noir
curatedLighter Grenache shares the pale colour and red-fruited, low-tannin character.
Expect: Much higher acidity, far lower alcohol and an earthier, more delicate profile.
Barbera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Oregon Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Nothing in WineHQ's catalogue makes this move meaningfully from here. These are the closest wines otherwise, but do not expect them to deliver what you asked for — the honest answer is that this style does not have a good neighbour in that direction.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Merlot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Barossa Shiraz
Both are made from grenache.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Sparkling Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Crémant
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.
Sparkling Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but less oaky
One of the commonest requests in wine. Strips oak influence while holding grape character and weight.
Tinto Cão
Tinto Cão scores closest to Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Tinta Negra
Tinta Negra scores closest to Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Tinta Barroca
Tinta Barroca scores closest to Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fuller and richer.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fuller and richer.
Rioja
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Pinot Noir
curatedLighter Grenache shares the pale colour and red-fruited, low-tannin character.
Expect: Much higher acidity, far lower alcohol and an earthier, more delicate profile.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo scores closest to Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Barolo
Barolo scores closest to Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Pinot Noir
curatedLighter Grenache shares the pale colour and red-fruited, low-tannin character.
Expect: Much higher acidity, far lower alcohol and an earthier, more delicate profile.
Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo scores closest to Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Barbera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Naoussa Xinomavro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Xinomavro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Rioja
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Rioja Reserva
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Primitivo
curatedBoth are high-alcohol, ripe, sweetly fruited southern reds with soft tannin.
Expect: Darker fruit and a jammier profile.
Zinfandel
Zinfandel scores closest to Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and drier.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.
Change the place
Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.
Same grape, somewhere else
Holds the variety constant and changes the place, which is often a bigger change than swapping the grape.
Rioja
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Rioja Reserva
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Rioja Crianza
Both are made from grenache.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Rioja Gran Reserva
Both are made from grenache.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
Rioja
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Rioja Reserva
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Rioja Crianza
Both are made from grenache.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Rioja Gran Reserva
Both are made from grenache.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Barossa Shiraz
Both are made from grenache.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
Both are made from grenache.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Jumilla Monastrell
Both are made from grenache.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
California Rhône blend
Both are made from grenache.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Change the mood
Safer, stranger, cheaper or more serious.
A safe next step
Well-known wines that are widely available and unlikely to surprise anyone.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Barbera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Oregon Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Merlot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
A better-value alternative
Wines that occupy similar sensory territory from regions carrying less price premium. WineHQ does not hold live prices, so this reasons from regional reputation and demand rather than from a price feed — treat it as a lead, not a quote.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Ribera del Duero
Ribera del Duero scores closest to Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Priorat
Both are made from grenache.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Amarone della Valpolicella scores closest to Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and spicier.
Barossa Shiraz
Both are made from grenache.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Each suggestion is scored across sixteen taste dimensions, weighted so that structure matters more than flavour, and adjusted for whether the wine actually moves in the direction you asked for. Curated links from an editor carry extra weight — but only when the editor tagged them for this direction. Nothing here is a black box; see the taste model for the full method.