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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 and the firm tannic structure, while moving away from too heavy and too tart or sour-fruited.

You said you like the full body and weight and that it is too heavy. Both are about body, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
You said you like the full body and weight and that it is too heavy. Both are about alcohol, 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.

Syrah

curated

The same variety in its cooler-climate expression.

Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less heavy.
About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.

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.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less heavy.
About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.

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 full body and weight.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
About as heavy as the wine you started from.
A little less tart or sour-fruited.

Super Tuscan

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

Keeps the full body and weight.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
A little less heavy.
About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.

Uruguayan Tannat

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

Keeps the full body and weight.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
A little less heavy.
About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.

Ribera del Duero

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

Keeps the full body and weight.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
A little less heavy.
About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.

Alicante Bouschet

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

Keeps the full body and weight.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
A little less heavy.
About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.

Plavac Mali

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

Keeps the full body and weight.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
About as heavy as the wine you started from.
A little less tart or sour-fruited.

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.

Malbec

curated

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

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

Super Tuscan

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

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

Uruguayan Tannat

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

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

Ribera del Duero

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and earthier.

Alicante Bouschet

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, 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.

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.

Malbec

curated

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

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

Pinotage

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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.

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 lighter.

Super Tuscan

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.

Ribera del Duero

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and earthier.

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 fruitier, and stronger and warmer.

Dalmatian Plavac Mali

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

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

Primitivo di Manduria

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

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

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 fresher, and fruitier.

Similar but less tannic

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

Argentine Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Primitivo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

California Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Merlot

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Petite Sirah

curated

A Syrah offspring giving even denser colour and firmer tannin.

Expect: Much more tannic and inky.

Petit Verdot

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Tannat

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Madiran

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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.

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 lighter.

Super Tuscan

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

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

Ribera del Duero

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and earthier.

Uruguayan Tannat

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

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

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 fruitier, and stronger and warmer.

Dalmatian Plavac Mali

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

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

Primitivo di Manduria

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

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

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 fresher, and fruitier.

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 lighter, and fresher.

Lambrusco

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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 stiller, and fruitier.

Similar but sweeter

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

Primitivo di Manduria

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

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

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

Pinotage

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, 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.

Malbec

curated

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

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

Montsant

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

Languedoc red

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

Negroamaro

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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 fruitier, and stronger and warmer.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.

Super Tuscan

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

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

Ribera del Duero

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

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

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.

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

Nebbiolo

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

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.

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 stronger and warmer.

Super Tuscan

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

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

Uruguayan Tannat

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

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

Ribera del Duero

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

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

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.

Douro red

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and earthier.

Petit Verdot

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

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

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.

Ribera del Duero

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

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

Douro red

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

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

Mavrud

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

Similar but fruitier

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

Primitivo di Manduria

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

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

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 stronger and warmer.

Primitivo

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

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

California Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter.

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 fresher, and more herbal and green.

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.

Bolgheri

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.

Bekaa Valley Red

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Bekaa Valley Red

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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 lighter.

Montsant

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

Super Tuscan

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

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

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 fruitier, and stronger and warmer.

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 fresher.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.

Bolgheri

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.

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 stronger and warmer.

Super Tuscan

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

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

Ribera del Duero

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and earthier.

Malbec

curated

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

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

Something more adventurous

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

Uruguayan Tannat

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

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

Alicante Bouschet

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

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

Plavac Mali

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

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

Douro red

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and earthier.

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.

Uruguayan Tannat

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

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

Alicante Bouschet

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

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

Plavac Mali

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

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

Douro red

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and earthier.

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 fresher, and earthier.

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 stronger and warmer.

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.

Priorat

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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.