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.
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.
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 peppery 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.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Bonarda
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less peppery.
- 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.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more restrained in fruit.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and sweeter.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more restrained in fruit.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and sweeter.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
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.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and sweeter.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less oaky.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, 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.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter.
Cru Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter.
Dornfelder
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, 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.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more floral.
Primitivo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and sweeter.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and leaner and more cutting.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and sweeter.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Toro
Toro scores closest to Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less spicy.
Tannat
Tannat scores closest to Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less spicy.
Madiran
Madiran scores closest to Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less spicy.
Montefalco Sagrantino
Montefalco Sagrantino scores closest to Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less spicy.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Barbera d’Alba
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Barbera d’Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Marsanne
Marsanne scores closest to Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Pedro Ximénez
Pedro Ximénez scores closest to Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and leaner and more cutting.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, 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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and sweeter.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and stiller.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and stiller.
English sparkling rosé
English sparkling rosé scores closest to Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and sweeter.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, 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.
Bonarda
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
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.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Barbera d’Alba
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less spicy.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, 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.
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.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more aromatic.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more aromatic.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more aromatic.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter.
Canaiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter.
Oregon Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter.
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
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.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and sweeter.
Barbera d’Alba
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Primitivo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and sweeter.
Bonarda
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, 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.
Montsant
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less spicy.
California Rhône blend
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more herbal and green.
Bolgheri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and spicier.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and spicier.
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 spicier, and less oaky.
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 more tannic and structured, and less spicy.
Montsant
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less spicy.
Bolgheri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and spicier.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and spicier.
McLaren Vale 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 tannic and structured, and spicier.
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 spicier, and fresher and more acidic.
Bolgheri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and spicier.
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.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more restrained in fruit.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and sweeter.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Cru Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Bonarda
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
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.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Bonarda
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
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.
Oregon Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter.
Chianti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
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.