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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 vanilla, toast and oak character and the full body and weight, while moving away from too peppery and too jammy or sweet-tasting.

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.

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

Has noticeably less of the vanilla, toast and oak character.
Keeps the full body and weight.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.

Sagrantino

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

Has noticeably less of the vanilla, toast and oak character.
Keeps the full body and weight.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.

Ribera del Duero

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

Keeps the vanilla, toast and oak character.
Keeps the full body and weight.
About as peppery as the wine you started from.
Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.

Tannat

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

Has noticeably less of the vanilla, toast and oak character.
Keeps the full body and weight.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.

Madiran

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

Has noticeably less of the vanilla, toast and oak character.
Keeps the full body and weight.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.

Sonoma 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.
Keeps the full body and weight.
Substantially less peppery.
About as jammy or sweet-tasting as the wine you started from.

Priorat

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

Has some of the vanilla, toast and oak character, though less of it.
Keeps the full body and weight.
About as peppery as the wine you started from.
Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.

Super Tuscan

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

Keeps the vanilla, toast and oak character.
Keeps the full body and weight.
About as peppery as the wine you started from.
A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.

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 oaky, and less spicy.

Sagrantino

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

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

Ribera del Duero

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

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

Tannat

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

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

Sagrantino

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

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

Ribera del Duero

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

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

Tannat

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.

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 less oaky.

Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 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

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Ribera del Duero

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

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

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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.

Priorat

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

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

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 fruit-driven.

Toro

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

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

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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.

Merlot

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Argentine Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Carmenère

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Chilean Carmenère

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 oaky, and less spicy.

Sagrantino

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

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

Tannat

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

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

Madiran

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

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

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 more fruit-driven.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.

Toro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 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 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 less oaky, and lighter.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Sagrantino

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

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

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

Tawny Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and lighter.

Pinotage

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and spicier.

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 oaky, and less spicy.

Sagrantino

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

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

Tannat

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

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

Madiran

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.

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 fruit-driven.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.

Ribera del Duero

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

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

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

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 less oaky.

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Malbec

curated

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

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

Barolo

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

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

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 oaky, and less spicy.

Sagrantino

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

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

Ribera del Duero

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

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

Tannat

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

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

Similar but more floral

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

Barbaresco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Malbec

curated

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

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

Douro red

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

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

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 oaky, and less spicy.

Sagrantino

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

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

Tannat

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

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

Madiran

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

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

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 fruit-driven.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Toro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 less oaky, and spicier.

Super Tuscan

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

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

Jumilla Monastrell

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

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

Bolgheri

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.

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 lighter, and less oaky.

Priorat

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

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

Super Tuscan

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

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

Montsant

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 more fruit-driven.

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 less oaky.

Priorat

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

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

Super Tuscan

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

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

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.

Ribera del Duero

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

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

Priorat

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

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

Super Tuscan

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

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

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 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 oaky, and less spicy.

Sagrantino

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

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

Tannat

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

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

Madiran

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

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

Sagrantino

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

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

Tannat

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

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

Madiran

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

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

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 spicier, and lighter in alcohol.

Priorat

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

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

Super Tuscan

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

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

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 fruit-driven.

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.