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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 moving away from too jammy or sweet-tasting, too tart or sour-fruited, too heavy and too drying or too tannic.

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.

Syrah

curated

The same variety in its cooler-climate expression.

Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
Substantially less heavy.
About as drying or too tannic as the wine you started from.

Carmenère

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

Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Chilean Carmenère

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

Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Malbec

curated

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

A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
Substantially less heavy.
About as drying or too tannic as the wine you started from.

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Rioja Crianza

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

A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Nero d’Avola

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

A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Merlot

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

A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
Substantially less heavy.
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.

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.

Carmenère

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more herbal and green.

Chilean Carmenère

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more herbal and green.

Malbec

curated

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

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

Carmenère

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more herbal and green.

Chilean Carmenère

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more herbal and green.

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher.

Rioja Crianza

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more fruit-driven.

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.

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.

Carmenère

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more herbal and green.

Chilean Carmenère

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more herbal and green.

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, 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.

Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Australian Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.

Carmenère

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more herbal and green.

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.

Argentine Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Carmenère

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more herbal and green.

Chilean Carmenère

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more herbal and green.

Barossa 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 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.

Carmenère

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more herbal and green.

Chilean Carmenère

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more herbal and green.

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher.

Rioja Crianza

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more fruit-driven.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Mavrud

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

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

Aglianico

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

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

Nebbiolo

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

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

Brunello di Montalcino

Brunello di Montalcino 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.

Australian Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.

Areni

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.

Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.

Corvina

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more fruit-driven.

Similar but softer

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

Marsanne

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Grenache Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Carmenère

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fresher and more acidic.

Chilean Carmenère

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fresher and more acidic.

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 more fruit-driven, and fruitier.

Lambrusco

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more fruit-driven.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more fruit-driven.

Carmenère

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and stiller.

Similar but sweeter

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

Tawny Port

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

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

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

Tinta Barroca

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

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fresher.

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 more fruit-driven, and fruitier.

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.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more fruit-driven.

Southern Rhône blend

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more fruit-driven.

Montepulciano

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more fruit-driven.

Grenache

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and stronger and warmer.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher.

Tempranillo

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

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

Rioja

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Rioja Reserva

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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.

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.

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

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.

Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.

Similar but more restrained

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

Carmenère

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more aromatic.

Chilean Carmenère

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more aromatic.

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher.

Rioja Crianza

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more fruit-driven.

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.

Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.

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.

Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.

Similar but more savoury

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

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.

Rioja Gran Reserva

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.

Australian Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.

Carmenère

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more herbal and 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 fruitier, and more fruit-driven.

Bonarda

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

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fresher.

Tinta Barroca

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

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fresher.

Trincadeira

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

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fresher.

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.

Southern Rhône blend

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more fruit-driven.

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.

Bekaa Valley Red

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

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

Languedoc red

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

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

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Australian Grenache

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 fruit-driven.

Bekaa Valley Red

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

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

Montsant

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

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

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.

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Southern Rhône blend

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more fruit-driven.

Barossa 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 fuller and richer, and fruitier.

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.

California Rhône blend

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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.

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher.

Rioja Crianza

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more fruit-driven.

Merlot

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more fruit-driven.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more fruit-driven.

Something more adventurous

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

Carmenère

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more herbal and green.

Chilean Carmenère

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more herbal and green.

Nero d’Avola

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more fruit-driven.

Agiorgitiko

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more fruit-driven.

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.

Carmenère

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more herbal and green.

Chilean Carmenère

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more herbal and green.

Nero d’Avola

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more fruit-driven.

Agiorgitiko

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more fruit-driven.

A step up

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

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher.

Ribera del Duero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.

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.

Tempranillo

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.