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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 and too soft or too easy.

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.

Tannat

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

Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less soft or too easy.

Madiran

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

Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less soft or too easy.

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less soft or too easy.

Aglianico

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

Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less soft or too easy.

Sagrantino

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

Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less soft or too easy.

Taurasi

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

Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less soft or too easy.

Nebbiolo

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

Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less soft or too easy.

Baga

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

Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less soft or too easy.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Tannat

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

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

Madiran

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

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

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

Aglianico

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

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

Tannat

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

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

Madiran

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

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

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

Aglianico

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

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

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.

Naoussa Xinomavro

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

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

Xinomavro

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

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

Dolcetto

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Mondeuse Noire

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

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

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.

Aglianico

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

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

Taurasi

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

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

Baga

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

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

Bairrada Baga

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

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Priorat

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and riper and less green.

Petit Verdot

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and riper and less green.

Toro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and riper and less green.

Petite Sirah

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and riper and less green.

Similar but less tannic

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

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.

Priorat

Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and riper and less green.

Petit Verdot

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Toro

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and riper and less green.

Tannat

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

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Aglianico

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

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

Baga

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

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

Bairrada Baga

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

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

Barbaresco

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

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

Similar but fresher

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

Aglianico

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

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

Baga

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

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

Bairrada Baga

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

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

Barbaresco

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

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

Similar but softer

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

Toro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and riper and less green.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

Both are made from grenache.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.

Barossa Shiraz

Both are made from grenache.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.

Jumilla Monastrell

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

The sparkling version

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

Sparkling Shiraz

Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Lambrusco

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

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Tannat

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

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Sagrantino

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

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

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

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Tinto Cão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Broad-leaved Melnik

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Nero di Troia

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cornalin

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Bobal

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Priorat

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and riper and less green.

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 rounder and creamier in texture.

Petite Sirah

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Barossa Shiraz

Both are made from grenache.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Barbaresco

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

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

Barolo

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

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

Nebbiolo

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

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

Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more restrained

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

Tannat

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

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

Madiran

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

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

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

Aglianico

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

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

Similar but more floral

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

Barbaresco

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

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

Barolo

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

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

Nebbiolo

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

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

Petit Verdot

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Similar but less floral

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

Tannat

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

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

Madiran

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

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

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

Aglianico

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

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Aglianico

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

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

Baga

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

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

Bairrada Baga

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

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

Barbaresco

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

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Petite Sirah

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Primitivo

curated

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

Expect: Darker fruit and a jammier profile.

Toro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and riper and less green.

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.

Priorat

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and riper and less green.

Jumilla Monastrell

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

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

Rioja

Both are made from grenache.

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

Rioja Reserva

Both are made from grenache.

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

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 less tannic and softer, and riper and less green.

Rioja Reserva

Both are made from grenache.

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

Montsant

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Rioja Crianza

Both are made from grenache.

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

Same grape, warmer climate

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

Both are made from grenache.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.

Barossa Shiraz

Both are made from grenache.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.

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 rounder and creamier in texture.

Priorat

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and riper and less green.

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.

Nebbiolo

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

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

Barolo

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

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

Barbaresco

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

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

Brunello di Montalcino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Something more adventurous

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

Tannat

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

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

Madiran

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

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

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

Aglianico

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

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

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.

Tannat

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

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

Madiran

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

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

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

Aglianico

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

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

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 rounder and creamier in texture, and riper and less green.

Ribera del Duero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.

Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.