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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.

← Back to Grenache

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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.

I like…

How full and weighty it is

But it’s a bit…

too heavy too soft or too easy too plain or too simple too green or grassy too peppery too austere

Clear all

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 green or grassy.

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.

Primitivo

curated

Both are high-alcohol, ripe, sweetly fruited southern reds with soft tannin.

Substantially less green or grassy.

Rioja Crianza

Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Substantially less green or grassy.

Merlot

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Substantially less green or grassy.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Substantially less green or grassy.

Jumilla Monastrell

Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Substantially less green or grassy.

Alentejo red

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Substantially less green or grassy.

Agiorgitiko

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Substantially less green or grassy.

Nemea Agiorgitiko

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Substantially less green or grassy.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.

Primitivo

curated

Both are high-alcohol, ripe, sweetly fruited southern reds with soft tannin.

Expect: Darker fruit and a jammier profile.

Rioja Crianza

Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.

Merlot

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more oaky.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more tannic and structured.

Different grape, similar feel

Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.

Merlot

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more oaky.

Alentejo red

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.

Agiorgitiko

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter in alcohol.

Primitivo

curated

Both are high-alcohol, ripe, sweetly fruited southern reds with soft tannin.

Expect: Darker fruit and a jammier profile.

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.

Cinsault

curated

A frequent blending partner with the same red-fruited, low-tannin character in a lighter frame.

Expect: Noticeably lighter and lower in alcohol.

Pinot Noir

curated

Lighter Grenache shares the pale colour and red-fruited, low-tannin character.

Expect: Much higher acidity, far lower alcohol and an earthier, more delicate profile.

Prokupac

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.

Egri Bikavér

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.

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.

Pinot Noir

curated

Lighter Grenache shares the pale colour and red-fruited, low-tannin character.

Expect: Much higher acidity, far lower alcohol and an earthier, more delicate profile.

Trousseau

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter in alcohol.

Cinsault

curated

A frequent blending partner with the same red-fruited, low-tannin character in a lighter frame.

Expect: Noticeably lighter and lower in alcohol.

Cru Beaujolais

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Argentine Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.

Barossa Shiraz

Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more tannic and structured.

Priorat

Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more tannic and structured.

Similar but less tannic

For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.

Barbera d’Alba

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.

Marsanne

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less tannic and softer.

Alsace Pinot Gris

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less tannic and softer.

California Chardonnay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less tannic and softer.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Jumilla Monastrell

Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.

Petit Verdot

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more tannic and structured.

Priorat

Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more tannic and structured.

Similar but fresher

Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.

Areni

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.

Corvina

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and sweeter.

Egri Bikavér

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.

Pinot Noir

curated

Lighter 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 softer

Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.

Marsanne

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less tannic and softer.

Condrieu

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less tannic and softer.

Viognier

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less tannic and softer.

Pedro Ximénez

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and sweeter.

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 riper and less green, and sweeter.

Lambrusco

Lambrusco scores closest to Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and stiller.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and stiller.

Franciacorta

Franciacorta scores closest to Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more sparkling.

Similar but sweeter

Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.

Vin Doux Naturel

Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and sweeter.

Primitivo

curated

Both are high-alcohol, ripe, sweetly fruited southern reds with soft tannin.

Expect: Darker fruit and a jammier profile.

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and sweeter.

Zinfandel

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more 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.

Trousseau

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter in alcohol.

Nero di Troia

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.

Négrette

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.

Prokupac

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Barossa Shiraz

Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more tannic and structured.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.

Rioja

Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.

Similar but more aromatic

More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.

Malbec

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more tannic and structured.

Pinot Noir

curated

Lighter 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 riper and less green, and more aromatic.

Gamay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher.

Similar but more restrained

For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.

Chasselas

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less tannic and softer.

Sémillon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and sweeter.

Pinot Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less tannic and softer.

Trebbiano d’Abruzzo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less tannic and softer.

Similar but more floral

Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.

Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.

Pinot Noir

curated

Lighter Grenache shares the pale colour and red-fruited, low-tannin character.

Expect: Much higher acidity, far lower alcohol and an earthier, more delicate profile.

Barolo

Barolo scores closest to Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.

Similar but less floral

Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.

Rioja Crianza

Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.

Merlot

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more oaky.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more tannic and structured.

Jumilla Monastrell

Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.

Similar but more savoury

Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.

Rioja

Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.

Rioja Gran Reserva

Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.

Rioja Reserva

Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.

Mourvèdre

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.

Similar but fruitier

More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.

Primitivo

curated

Both are high-alcohol, ripe, sweetly fruited southern reds with soft tannin.

Expect: Darker fruit and a jammier profile.

Zinfandel

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and sweeter.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.

Petite Sirah

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more tannic and structured.

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 Crianza

Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more tannic and structured.

Jumilla Monastrell

Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.

Barossa Shiraz

Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.

Same grape, cooler climate

Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.

Rioja Crianza

Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.

Rioja

Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.

Rioja Reserva

Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.

Rioja Gran Reserva

Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.

Same grape, warmer climate

Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.

Barossa Shiraz

Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.

Vin Doux Naturel

Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and sweeter.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Both are made from grenache, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and earthier.

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.

Rioja Crianza

Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.

Merlot

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more oaky.

Primitivo

curated

Both are high-alcohol, ripe, sweetly fruited southern reds with soft tannin.

Expect: Darker fruit and a jammier profile.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.

Something more adventurous

Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.

Cinsault

curated

A frequent blending partner with the same red-fruited, low-tannin character in a lighter frame.

Expect: Noticeably lighter and lower in alcohol.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more tannic and structured.

Jumilla Monastrell

Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.

Alentejo red

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more 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.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more tannic and structured.

Jumilla Monastrell

Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.

Alentejo red

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.

Agiorgitiko

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter in alcohol.

A step up

The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.

Priorat

Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more tannic and structured.

Amarone della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and sweeter.

Ribera del Duero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.

Barossa Shiraz

Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.

How these are chosen

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.