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Wines like Shiraz

The Australian name for Syrah, used to signal the riper, fuller, sweeter-fruited style the country made famous. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

← Back to Shiraz

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What do you like about Shiraz?

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…

The rich dark fruit How full and weighty it is The firm, grippy structure The vanilla and oak

But it’s a bit…

too jammy or sweet-tasting too tart or sour-fruited too heavy too drying or too tannic too oaky or woody too peppery

Clear all

What these words mean

The rich dark fruit: Blackberry, plum, black cherry — fruit that tastes ripe and generous rather than tart. It comes from warm-climate ripening and it is what most people mean when they call a red "fruity".
The bright red fruit: Raspberry, redcurrant, sour cherry — lighter and sharper than dark fruit, usually from a cooler place or an earlier picking.
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.
The firm, grippy structure: High tannin — the drying grip on your gums, like over-brewed tea. It gives a red something to hold on to with rich food, and it is what lets a wine age.
The vanilla and oak: Vanilla, toast, coconut, sweet spice, sometimes smoke. It comes from the barrel rather than the grape, which is why the same grape can taste completely different with and without it.
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.

Looking for something keeping the vanilla, toast and oak character, while moving away from too tart or sour-fruited, too peppery and too drying or too tannic.

You said you like the vanilla, toast and oak character and that it is too peppery. Both are about spice, 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.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Has some of the vanilla, toast and oak character, though less of it.
About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Merlot

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

Has some of the vanilla, toast and oak character, though less of it.
About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Barossa Shiraz

Both are made from shiraz, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Keeps the vanilla, toast and oak character.
A little less tart or sour-fruited.
About as peppery as the wine you started from.
About as drying or too tannic as the wine you started from.

Primitivo

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

Has some of the vanilla, toast and oak character, though less of it.
A little less tart or sour-fruited.
About as peppery as the wine you started from.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Malbec

curated

Comparable weight and dark plush fruit, and the most common crossover choice.

Has some of the vanilla, toast and oak character, though less of it.
About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
About as peppery as the wine you started from.
About as drying or too tannic as the wine you started from.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of the vanilla, toast and oak character, though less of it.
About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
Substantially less peppery.
About as drying or too tannic as the wine you started from.

Nero d’Avola

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of the vanilla, toast and oak character, though less of it.
About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
About as peppery as the wine you started from.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Rioja Crianza

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of the vanilla, toast and oak character, though less of it.
About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
About as peppery as the wine you started from.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

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 less spicy, and fruitier.

Merlot

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

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

Barossa Shiraz

Both are made from shiraz, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fruitier.

Primitivo

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

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

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 less spicy, and fruitier.

Merlot

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

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

Primitivo

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

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

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fresher.

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.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Merlot

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

Nero d’Avola

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

Rioja Crianza

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

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.

Merlot

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

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

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir) scores closest to Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more tannic and structured.

Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir

Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir scores closest to Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

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.

Barossa Shiraz

Both are made from shiraz, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fruitier.

Argentine Malbec

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

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

Primitivo

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

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

Both are made from shiraz, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fresher.

Similar but less tannic

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

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Merlot

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

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

Argentine Malbec

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

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

Primitivo

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

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Toro

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less oaky.

Tannat

Tannat scores closest to Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fresher.

Madiran

Madiran scores closest to Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fresher.

Montefalco Sagrantino

Montefalco Sagrantino scores closest to Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fresher.

Similar but fresher

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

Barbera d’Alba

Barbera d’Alba scores closest to Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less tannic and softer.

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more tannic and structured.

Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir

Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir scores closest to Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir) scores closest to Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.

Similar but softer

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

Barossa Shiraz

Both are made from shiraz, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fruitier.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Argentine Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Merlot

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

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

The sparkling version

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

Sparkling Shiraz

Both are made from shiraz, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

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

Lambrusco

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

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

California Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 less spicy, and fruitier.

Primitivo

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

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

Sparkling Shiraz

Both are made from shiraz, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

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

Vin Doux Naturel

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, 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.

Merlot

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Primitivo

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

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

Malbec

curated

Comparable weight and dark plush fruit, and the most common crossover choice.

Expect: More floral, less oaky and usually a touch fresher.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo scores closest to Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Barossa Shiraz

Both are made from shiraz, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fruitier.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fresher.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fresher.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Malbec

curated

Comparable weight and dark plush fruit, and the most common crossover choice.

Expect: More floral, less oaky and usually a touch fresher.

Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir scores closest to Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.

Cabernet Franc

Cabernet Franc scores closest to Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Syrah

curated

The same variety in its cooler-climate expression.

Expect: Black pepper, olive and savoury meat in place of chocolate and sweet fruit, at lower alcohol.

Similar but more restrained

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

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Merlot

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

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

Barossa Shiraz

Both are made from shiraz, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fruitier.

Primitivo

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

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

Similar but more floral

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

Malbec

curated

Comparable weight and dark plush fruit, and the most common crossover choice.

Expect: More floral, less oaky and usually a touch fresher.

Argentine Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir scores closest to Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.

Cabernet Franc

Cabernet Franc scores closest to Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Ribera del Duero

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fresher.

Rioja Gran Reserva

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fresher.

Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir) scores closest to Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.

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 fruitier, and less spicy.

Primitivo

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

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

Barossa Shiraz

Both are made from shiraz, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more tannic and structured.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more tannic and structured.

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.

Super Tuscan

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fresher.

Bolgheri

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fresher.

Jumilla Monastrell

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fresher.

Montsant

Montsant scores closest to Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more tannic and structured.

Same grape, cooler climate

Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from shiraz, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more tannic and structured.

Australian Grenache

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

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

Super Tuscan

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fresher.

Montsant

Montsant scores closest to Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more tannic and structured.

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Barossa Shiraz

Both are made from shiraz, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fruitier.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

Both are made from shiraz, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fruitier.

Bolgheri

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fruitier.

Super Tuscan

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fresher.

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 less spicy, and fruitier.

Merlot

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

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

Barossa Shiraz

Both are made from shiraz, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fruitier.

Primitivo

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

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

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 more tannic and structured, and fresher.

Nero d’Avola

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Alentejo red

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Agiorgitiko

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 more tannic and structured, and fresher.

Nero d’Avola

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Alentejo red

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Agiorgitiko

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

A step up

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

Ribera del Duero

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fresher.

Barossa Shiraz

Both are made from shiraz, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fruitier.

Argentine Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Super Tuscan

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fresher.

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.