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.
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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.
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.
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 Rhône blend
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
Jumilla Monastrell
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
Primitivo
curatedBoth are high-alcohol, ripe, sweetly fruited southern reds with soft tannin.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
Zinfandel
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
Southern Rhône blend
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
Languedoc red
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
Australian Grenache
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
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 Rhône blend
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
Jumilla Monastrell
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and riper and less green.
Primitivo
curatedBoth are high-alcohol, ripe, sweetly fruited southern reds with soft tannin.
Expect: Darker fruit and a jammier profile.
Zinfandel
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and sweeter.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Zinfandel
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and sweeter.
Primitivo
curatedBoth are high-alcohol, ripe, sweetly fruited southern reds with soft tannin.
Expect: Darker fruit and a jammier profile.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more oaky.
Alentejo red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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.
Négrette
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Egri Bikavér
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Prokupac
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.
Australian Grenache
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more floral.
Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and earthier.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.
Southern Rhône blend
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and earthier.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
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 earthier.
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 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 more oaky.
Priorat
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Barbera d’Alba
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Tawny Port
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more oaky.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less tannic and softer.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
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 more oaky.
Brunello di Montalcino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more tannic and structured.
Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and earthier.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.
Australian Grenache
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more floral.
Barbera d’Alba
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Barbera d’Asti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Marsanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less tannic and softer.
Pedro Ximénez
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.
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 lighter in alcohol, and sweeter.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
California Rhône blend
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and more oaky.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Late Bottled Vintage Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.
Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.
Primitivo
curatedBoth are high-alcohol, ripe, sweetly fruited southern reds with soft tannin.
Expect: Darker fruit and a jammier profile.
Ruby Port
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, 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.
Trincadeira
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and sweeter.
Corvinone
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Nero di Troia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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 Rhône blend
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
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 earthier.
McLaren Vale 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 less oaky.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more aromatic.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more aromatic.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more aromatic.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
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 Rhône blend
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more oaky.
Jumilla Monastrell
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and earthier.
Zinfandel
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
Southern Rhône blend
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more aromatic.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Australian Grenache
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more neutral and subtle.
Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Barolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
California Rhône blend
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
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 earthier.
Jumilla Monastrell
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and riper and less green.
Languedoc red
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and earthier.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Jumilla Monastrell
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and riper and less green.
Mourvèdre
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and earthier.
Red Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Rioja
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more oaky.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
California Rhône blend
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
Primitivo
curatedBoth are high-alcohol, ripe, sweetly fruited southern reds with soft tannin.
Expect: Darker fruit and a jammier profile.
Zinfandel
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and sweeter.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more 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.
California Rhône blend
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
Jumilla Monastrell
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and riper and less green.
Australian Grenache
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more floral.
Montsant
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
Australian Grenache
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more floral.
Montsant
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.
Rioja Crianza
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and earthier.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
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 earthier.
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 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 more 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 sweeter.
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.
Zinfandel
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and sweeter.
Southern Rhône blend
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and earthier.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
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 earthier.
Rioja Crianza
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
California Rhône blend
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
Jumilla Monastrell
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and riper and less green.
Languedoc red
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and earthier.
Australian Grenache
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more floral.
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.
California Rhône blend
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
Jumilla Monastrell
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and riper and less green.
Languedoc red
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and earthier.
Australian Grenache
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more floral.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and riper and less green.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
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 earthier.
Priorat
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.
Ribera del Duero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.
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.