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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.

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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 full body and weight, while moving away from too jammy or sweet-tasting and too oaky or woody.

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.

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

Keeps the full body and weight.
Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Substantially less oaky or woody.

Sagrantino

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

Keeps the full body and weight.
Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Substantially less oaky or woody.

Priorat

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

Keeps the full body and weight.
Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
A little less oaky or woody.

Tannat

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

Keeps the full body and weight.
Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Substantially less oaky or woody.

Madiran

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

Keeps the full body and weight.
Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Substantially less oaky or woody.

Syrah

curated

The same variety in its cooler-climate expression.

Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
A little less oaky or woody.

Uruguayan Tannat

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

Keeps the full body and weight.
Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
A little less oaky or woody.

Malbec

curated

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

Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
A little less oaky or woody.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

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

Sagrantino

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

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

Priorat

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and earthier.

Tannat

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

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

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

Sagrantino

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

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

Tannat

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

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

Madiran

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

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

Change the structure

Same idea, different weight, grip or freshness.

Similar but lighter

Keeps the character but reduces weight, alcohol and density in the mouth.

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.

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 lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends

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

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

Cahors

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

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 lighter in alcohol, and lighter.

Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends

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

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

Cahors

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Tannat

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

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

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.

Priorat

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and earthier.

McLaren Vale 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 fruit-driven.

Toro

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

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

Dalmatian Plavac Mali

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.

Similar but less tannic

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

Argentine Malbec

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

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

Merlot

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

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

Carmenère

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

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

Chilean Carmenère

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

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

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

Sagrantino

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

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

Priorat

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and earthier.

Tannat

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

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

Similar but fresher

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

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

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 lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends

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

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

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 lighter, and less oaky.

Pedro Ximénez

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

McLaren Vale 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 fruit-driven.

Toro

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

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

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 lighter.

Lambrusco

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

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Franciacorta

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

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

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

Sagrantino

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

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

Port

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.

Vin Doux Naturel

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.

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.

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

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

Sagrantino

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

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

Priorat

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and earthier.

Tannat

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

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Priorat

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and earthier.

McLaren Vale 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 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 more oaky, and fruitier.

Toro

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

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

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 lighter, and more restrained in fruit.

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Barolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more restrained

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more aromatic.

Sagrantino

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

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

Priorat

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

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

Tannat

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

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

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.

Barbaresco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Douro red

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

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

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

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

Priorat

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and earthier.

Sagrantino

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

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

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 fruitier

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

McLaren Vale 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 fruit-driven.

Primitivo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Toro

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

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

Alicante Bouschet

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

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

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.

Priorat

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and earthier.

Jumilla Monastrell

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and spicier.

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.

Montsant

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

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 lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

Priorat

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and earthier.

Montsant

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Bekaa Valley Red

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and spicier.

Same grape, warmer climate

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

McLaren Vale 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 fruit-driven.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.

Priorat

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

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

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 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.

Priorat

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and earthier.

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.

Chianti Classico

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Merlot

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

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

Something more adventurous

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

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

Sagrantino

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

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

Tannat

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

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

Madiran

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

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

A better-value alternative

Wines that occupy similar sensory territory from regions carrying less price premium. WineHQ does not hold live prices, so this reasons from regional reputation and demand rather than from a price feed — treat it as a lead, not a quote.

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

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

Sagrantino

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

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

Tannat

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

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

Madiran

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

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

A step up

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

Priorat

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and earthier.

Ribera del Duero

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

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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.