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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

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.

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, too heavy, too austere and too plain or too simple.

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.

Substantially less green or grassy.
A little less heavy.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Substantially less green or grassy.
A little less heavy.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

Pinotage

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Substantially less green or grassy.
A little less heavy.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

Pinot Noir

curated

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

Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less heavy.
About as austere as the wine you started from.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

Corvina

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Substantially less green or grassy.
A little less heavy.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

Rioja

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

Substantially less green or grassy.
A little less heavy.
About as austere as the wine you started from.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

Rioja Reserva

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

Substantially less green or grassy.
A little less heavy.
About as austere as the wine you started from.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

Substantially less green or grassy.
A little less heavy.
About as austere as the wine you started from.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

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

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.

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.

Corvina

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.

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

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.

Egri Bikavér

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Red Burgundy

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Hemel-en-Aarde 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.

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.

Corvina

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.

Red Burgundy

Both come from the same country.

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.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Touriga Nacional

Touriga Nacional scores closest to Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.

Barossa Shiraz

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 drier.

Primitivo di Manduria

Primitivo di Manduria 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

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

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.

Touriga Nacional

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.

Similar but fresher

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

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.

Corvina

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.

Red Burgundy

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Blaufränkisch

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.

Zinfandel

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.

Tempranillo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.

Primitivo di Manduria

Primitivo di Manduria scores closest to Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.

The sparkling version

Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.

Sparkling Shiraz

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

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.

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.

Tawny Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fuller and richer.

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

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

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.

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 more aromatic

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

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 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.

Barbaresco

Barbaresco 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.

Corvina

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.

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.

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.

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.

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.

Corvina

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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 savoury

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

Rioja Gran 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

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.

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.

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.

Zinfandel

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.

Primitivo

curated

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

Expect: Darker fruit and a jammier profile.

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 Gran 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.

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 Gran 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.

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.

California Rhône blend

Both are made from grenache.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.

Jumilla Monastrell

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Corvina

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.

Egri Bikavér

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.

Corvina

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.

Egri Bikavér

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.

Amarone della Valpolicella

Amarone della Valpolicella scores closest to Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.

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.

Barossa Shiraz

Both are made from grenache.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.

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.