If you like this, try…

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

Refine

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 heavy.

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.

Malbec

curated

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

Substantially less heavy.

Syrah

curated

The same variety in its cooler-climate expression.

Substantially less heavy.

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.

Substantially less heavy.

Australian Grenache

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

Substantially less heavy.

Agiorgitiko

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

Substantially less heavy.

Alentejo red

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

Substantially less heavy.

Nemea Agiorgitiko

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

Substantially less heavy.

Fetească Neagră

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

Substantially less heavy.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Malbec

curated

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

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

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 more herbal and green, and less spicy.

Australian Grenache

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 less oaky, and more floral.

Different grape, similar feel

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

Malbec

curated

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

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

Agiorgitiko

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

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

Alentejo red

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

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

Nemea Agiorgitiko

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

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

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.

Agiorgitiko

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

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

Alentejo red

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

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

Argentine Cabernet Franc

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

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

Australian Grenache

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 less oaky, and more floral.

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.

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 more herbal and green, and less spicy.

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and less spicy.

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 lighter, and less oaky.

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.

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 more herbal and green, and less spicy.

Malbec

curated

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

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

Australian Grenache

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 less oaky, and more floral.

Syrah

curated

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

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and leaner and more cutting.

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 fresher and more acidic, and less tannic and softer.

Australian Grenache

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 less oaky, and more floral.

Agiorgitiko

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

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

Alentejo red

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

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Mavrud

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

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

Brunello di Montalcino

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

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

Aglianico

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

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

Taurasi

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

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

Similar but fresher

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

Aglianico

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

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

Australian Grenache

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 less oaky, and more floral.

Barbera d’Alba

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

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

Barbera d’Asti

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

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

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.

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

Grenache Blanc

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

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

Gewürztraminer

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

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

Muscat of Alexandria

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, 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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

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

Lambrusco

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

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Australian traditional-method sparkling

Both come from the same country.

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Sparkling 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 sparkling, and sweeter.

Touriga Franca

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

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more floral.

Tinta Barroca

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

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

Pinotage

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

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

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.

Areni

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

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

Australian Grenache

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 floral, and more herbal and green.

Australian Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and earthier.

Bobal

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

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Pinotage

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

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

Tempranillo

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

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

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Rioja

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

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

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.

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.

Nebbiolo

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

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

Barolo

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

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

Similar but more restrained

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

Sémillon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Trebbiano d’Abruzzo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Palomino Fino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Franken Silvaner

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

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.

Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Nebbiolo

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

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Brunello di Montalcino

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

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

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione

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

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

Fetească Neagră

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

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

Mavrud

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

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

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 less spicy, and sweeter.

California Pinot Noir

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

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

Zinfandel

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

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

Barbera d’Alba

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

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

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.

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 earthier, and fresher and more acidic.

Montsant

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more herbal and green.

Southern Rhône blend

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more herbal and green.

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Australian Grenache

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 less oaky, and more floral.

Bekaa Valley Red

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

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

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 more herbal and green, and less spicy.

Hawke’s Bay Syrah

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

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

Same grape, warmer climate

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

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 stronger and warmer, and more herbal and green.

Southern Rhône blend

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more herbal and green.

Languedoc red

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more herbal and green.

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.

Malbec

curated

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

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

Merlot

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

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

Rioja Crianza

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

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

Something more adventurous

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

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 more herbal and green, and less spicy.

Australian Grenache

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 less oaky, and more floral.

Agiorgitiko

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

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

Alentejo red

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

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

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.

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 more herbal and green, and less spicy.

Australian Grenache

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 less oaky, and more floral.

Agiorgitiko

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

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

Alentejo red

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

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

A step up

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

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 restrained in fruit, and earthier.

Rioja

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

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

Rioja Reserva

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

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

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.