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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 rich, ripe dark fruit and the vanilla, toast and oak character, while moving away from too peppery.

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.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
Has some of the vanilla, toast and oak character, though less of it.
Substantially less peppery.

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 rich, ripe dark fruit.
Keeps the vanilla, toast and oak character.
About as peppery as the wine you started from.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
Has some of the vanilla, toast and oak character, though less of it.
Substantially less peppery.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
Keeps the vanilla, toast and oak character.
About as peppery as the wine you started from.

Toro

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

Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
Has noticeably less of the vanilla, toast and oak character.
Substantially less peppery.

Bolgheri

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

Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
Keeps the vanilla, toast and oak character.
About as peppery as the wine you started from.

Barbera d’Alba

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
Has noticeably less of the vanilla, toast and oak character.
Substantially less peppery.

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from shiraz, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Has some of the rich, ripe dark fruit, though less of it.
Has noticeably less of the vanilla, toast and oak character.
Substantially less peppery.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be 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 spicier, and broader and softer.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, 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.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Toro

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.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Barbera d’Alba

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

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

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 less oaky, and less spicy.

Merlot

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

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

Barbera d’Alba

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

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

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 less oaky, and less spicy.

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Argentine Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.

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 spicier, and broader and softer.

Toro

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

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

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, 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.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Barbera d’Alba

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

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

Argentine Malbec

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

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

Merlot

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

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Toro

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

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

Touriga Nacional

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

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

Tannat

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Madiran

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fresher

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

Barbera d’Alba

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

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

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 less oaky, and less spicy.

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Barbera d’Asti

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 spicier, and fresher and more acidic.

Toro

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

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

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

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

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

Lambrusco

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

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Similar but sweeter

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

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

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 less oaky, and more fruit-driven.

Port

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

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

Touriga Nacional

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.

Toro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 less oaky, and less spicy.

Barbera d’Alba

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.

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 spicier, and broader and softer.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and leaner and more cutting.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

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.

Barbaresco

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

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

Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Gamay

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

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 spicier, and more aromatic.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Toro

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.

Malbec

curated

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

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

Argentine Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Argentine Malbec

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

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

Uco Valley Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Tannat

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Ribera del Duero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Madiran

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 more fruit-driven.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be 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 spicier, and broader and softer.

Toro

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.

Bolgheri

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

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

Super Tuscan

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

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

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Montsant

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

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

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 less oaky, and less spicy.

Bolgheri

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fuller and richer.

Super Tuscan

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

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

Montsant

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

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

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 spicier, and fresher and more acidic.

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 less oaky, and spicier.

Bolgheri

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

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

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.

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 spicier, and broader and softer.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Merlot

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

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

Something more adventurous

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

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy.

Toro

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

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

Bolgheri

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

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

Barbera d’Alba

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy.

Toro

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

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

Bolgheri

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

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

Barbera d’Alba

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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.

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 spicier, and broader and softer.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Ribera del Duero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Super Tuscan

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

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