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 green or grassy, too plain or too simple, too heavy and too peppery.
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.
Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less peppery.
Barbera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less peppery.
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less peppery.
Oregon Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less peppery.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- A little less heavy.
- Substantially less peppery.
Pinot Noir
curatedLighter Grenache shares the pale colour and red-fruited, low-tannin character.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less heavy.
- About as peppery as the wine you started from.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less peppery.
Naoussa Xinomavro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less peppery.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Barbera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Oregon Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Barbera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Oregon Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Barbera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.
Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Barbera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
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 riper and less green.
Toro
Toro 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 stronger and warmer.
Argentine Malbec
Argentine Malbec scores closest to Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.
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 fuller and richer, and less oaky.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
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 fuller and richer, and riper and less green.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Naoussa Xinomavro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Xinomavro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Baga
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.
Bairrada Baga
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.
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 less oaky, and riper and less green.
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Oregon Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
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 fuller and richer, and riper and less green.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and riper and less green.
Barossa Shiraz
Both are made from grenache.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and riper and less green.
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
Lambrusco 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.
Crémant
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and riper and less green.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and riper and less green.
Sparkling Shiraz
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.
Cinsault
curatedA frequent blending partner with the same red-fruited, low-tannin character in a lighter frame.
Expect: Noticeably lighter and lower in alcohol.
Négrette
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Pinot Meunier
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Castelão
Castelão scores closest to Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
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 fuller and richer, and riper and less green.
Rioja
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and riper and less green.
Rioja Reserva
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and riper and less green.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and riper and less green.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Pinot Blanc
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.
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.
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Oregon Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Barbera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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 fuller and richer, and riper and less green.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, 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 less oaky, and riper and less green.
Xinomavro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Rioja
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and riper and less green.
Rioja Reserva
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and riper and less green.
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 fuller and richer, and riper and less green.
Barbera d’Alba
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.
Primitivo
curatedBoth are high-alcohol, ripe, sweetly fruited southern reds with soft tannin.
Expect: Darker fruit and a jammier profile.
California Pinot Noir
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 fuller and richer, and riper and less green.
Rioja Reserva
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and riper and less green.
Rioja Crianza
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.
Rioja Gran Reserva
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, 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 fuller and richer, and riper and less green.
Rioja Reserva
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and riper and less green.
Rioja Crianza
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.
Rioja Gran Reserva
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, 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 riper and less green.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
Both are made from grenache.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.
Jumilla Monastrell
Both are made from grenache.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.
Rioja Crianza
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.
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.
Barbera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Oregon Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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 fuller and richer, and riper and less green.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Naoussa Xinomavro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
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.
Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Naoussa Xinomavro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Ribera del Duero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and riper and less green.
Priorat
Both are made from grenache.
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 riper and less green.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
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.