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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 keeping the full body and weight, while moving away from too plain or too simple, too green or grassy 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.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Keeps the full body and weight.
Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less peppery.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Keeps the full body and weight.
Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less peppery.

Merlot

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

Keeps the full body and weight.
Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less peppery.

Rioja

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

Keeps the full body and weight.
Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less green or grassy.
About as peppery as the wine you started from.

Rioja Reserva

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

Keeps the full body and weight.
Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less green or grassy.
About as peppery as the wine you started from.

Primitivo

curated

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

Keeps the full body and weight.
Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less green or grassy.
About as peppery as the wine you started from.

Barossa Shiraz

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

Keeps the full body and weight.
Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less green or grassy.
About as peppery as the wine you started from.

Pinotage

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

Keeps the full body and weight.
Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less green or grassy.
About as peppery as the wine you started from.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Sonoma 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 less oaky, and lighter in alcohol.

Rioja

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

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Sonoma 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 less oaky, and lighter in alcohol.

Pinotage

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

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

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.

Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barbera

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.

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.

Barbera d’Alba

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Uco Valley Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barbera d’Asti

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Barossa Shiraz

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.

Toro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, 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.

Barbera d’Alba

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

California Chardonnay

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

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

Australian Chardonnay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

New Zealand Chardonnay

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.

Sonoma 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.

Toro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Baga

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Bairrada Baga

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fresher

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

Barbera d’Alba

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barbera d’Asti

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione

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.

Marsanne

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.

Barossa Shiraz

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.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Toro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 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 lighter in alcohol.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

California Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Tinta Barroca

Tinta Barroca scores closest to Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Corvinone

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

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

Bobal

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

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

Refosco

Refosco 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.

Barossa Shiraz

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.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Sonoma 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.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Barbaresco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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 less oaky, and riper and less green.

Barolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.

Sémillon

Both come from the same country.

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

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Sonoma 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 less oaky, and lighter in alcohol.

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 less oaky, and riper and less green.

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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 less oaky, and riper and less green.

Barolo

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.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Sonoma 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.

Merlot

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 lighter in alcohol.

Rioja

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

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Rioja

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

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

Rioja Reserva

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

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

Tempranillo

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

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

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fruitier

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

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Primitivo

curated

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

Expect: Darker fruit and a jammier profile.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, 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.

Rioja

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

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

Rioja Reserva

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

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

Barossa Shiraz

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.

Jumilla Monastrell

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Rioja Reserva

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

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

Rioja Crianza

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

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

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

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

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Barossa Shiraz

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.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

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

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 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.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Merlot

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 lighter in alcohol.

Rioja

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

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

Rioja Reserva

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

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

Something more adventurous

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

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Pinotage

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

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

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barbera d’Alba

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.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Pinotage

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

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

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barbera d’Alba

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, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barossa Shiraz

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.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

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.