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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.

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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 keeping the full body and weight, while moving away from too peppery, too austere and too heavy.

You said you like the full body and weight and that it is too heavy. Both are about body, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
You said you like the full body and weight and that it is too heavy. Both are about alcohol, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.

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.

Tinto Cão

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

Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less heavy.

Tinta Negra

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

Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less austere.
A little less heavy.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

Has noticeably less of the full body and weight.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less heavy.

Tinta Barroca

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

Keeps the full body and weight.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less austere.
A little less heavy.

Touriga Franca

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

Keeps the full body and weight.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less austere.
A little less heavy.

Rondinella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has noticeably less of the full body and weight.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less heavy.

Rondo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has noticeably less of the full body and weight.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less heavy.

Dornfelder

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has noticeably less of the full body and weight.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less heavy.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Tinto Cão

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

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

Tinta Negra

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and stronger and warmer.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Tinta Barroca

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

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

Tinto Cão

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

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

Tinta Negra

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and stronger and warmer.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Tinta Barroca

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

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

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.

Tinto Cão

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

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Rondinella

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

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

Rondo

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.

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.

Tinto Cão

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

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Rondo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.

Dornfelder

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.

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 spicier.

Toro

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

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

Primitivo

curated

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

Expect: Darker fruit and a jammier profile.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

Both are made from grenache.

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 spicy, and lighter in alcohol.

Chenin Blanc

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

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

Hárslevelű

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

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Tinto Cão

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

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

Touriga Franca

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

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

Naoussa Xinomavro

Naoussa Xinomavro scores closest to Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Xinomavro

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

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

Similar but fresher

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

Tinto Cão

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

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Rondo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Dornfelder

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but softer

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

Muscat of Alexandria

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

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

Tinta Barroca

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

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

California Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

The sparkling version

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Sparkling Shiraz

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

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

Lambrusco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Vouvray

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

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Tinta Barroca

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

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

Tinta Negra

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and stronger and warmer.

Tinto Cão

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, 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.

Tinto Cão

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

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

Tinta Negra

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and stronger and warmer.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Tinta Barroca

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

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Touriga Franca

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

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

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.

Merlot

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

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

Similar but more aromatic

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

Cabernet Franc

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

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

Gamay

Both come from the same country.

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

Barbaresco

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

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.

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 spicy, and lighter in alcohol.

Silvaner

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Trebbiano Toscano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Seyval Blanc

Seyval Blanc scores closest to Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Similar but more floral

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

Touriga Franca

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

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

Dornfelder

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cabernet Franc

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

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

Négrette

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

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

Similar but less floral

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

Tinto Cão

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

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

Tinta Negra

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and stronger and warmer.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Tinta Barroca

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

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Tinta Negra

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and stronger and warmer.

Naoussa Xinomavro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Xinomavro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Chianti

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fruitier

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

California Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Primitivo

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 spicier.

Zinfandel

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and drier.

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.

Montsant

Both are made from grenache.

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.

Australian Grenache

Both are made from grenache.

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

Rioja

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.

Montsant

Both are made from grenache.

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.

Australian Grenache

Both are made from grenache.

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

Rioja

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.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

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

Montsant

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.

Chianti

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barbera

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cabernet Franc

Both come from the same country.

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

Something more adventurous

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

Tinto Cão

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

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

Tinta Negra

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and stronger and warmer.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Tinta Barroca

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

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

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.

Tinto Cão

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

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

Tinta Negra

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and stronger and warmer.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Tinta Barroca

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

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

A step up

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

Ribera del Duero

Ribera del Duero scores closest to Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Priorat

Both are made from grenache.

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

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

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

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.