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Wines like Syrah

A peppery, dark-fruited variety that produces two recognisably different wines depending on climate — and two different names to match. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

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What do you like about Syrah?

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 firm, grippy structure The spice How aromatic it is The savoury, meaty side

But it’s a bit…

too drying or too tannic too oaky or woody too peppery too perfumed too earthy or musty too savoury or funky

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What these words mean

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.
How aromatic it is: Some grapes announce themselves from across the room — Gewürztraminer, Muscat, Sauvignon Blanc. Others are far quieter, and quiet is not the same as dull.
The savoury, meaty side: Leather, olive, cured meat, dried herbs, tobacco. It is what people mean by calling a wine "serious" rather than "fruity", and it comes with age as well as with place.
The earthy, mineral side: Forest floor, wet stone, mushroom, damp earth. Widely described and much less well explained than wine writing implies — the sensation is real, the causal story usually is not.

Looking for something keeping the firm tannic structure and how much it smells of, before you even taste it, while moving away from too perfumed.

You said you like how much it smells of, before you even taste it and that it is too perfumed. Both are about aromatic intensity, 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.

Mourvèdre

curated

Both are dark, structured, savoury Rhône varieties, and they are blended together constantly.

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
Substantially less perfumed.

Blaufränkisch

curated

Shares the peppery, dark-fruited, savoury profile of cool-climate Syrah.

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
Substantially less perfumed.

Northern Rhône Syrah

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

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
Substantially less perfumed.

Languedoc red

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

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
Substantially less perfumed.

Saperavi

curated

A dark, structured, savoury red for someone who wants Syrah’s intensity from somewhere unexpected.

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
Substantially less perfumed.

Bekaa Valley Red

Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
Substantially less perfumed.

Jumilla Monastrell

Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
Substantially less perfumed.

Washington Syrah

Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
Substantially less perfumed.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Mourvèdre

curated

Both are dark, structured, savoury Rhône varieties, and they are blended together constantly.

Expect: More gamey and earthy, with firmer, more austere tannin and less obvious fruit.

Blaufränkisch

curated

Shares the peppery, dark-fruited, savoury profile of cool-climate Syrah.

Expect: Lighter and higher in acid, with more red fruit and a sour-cherry edge.

Northern Rhône Syrah

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

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

Languedoc red

Both are made from syrah, 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 oaky.

Different grape, similar feel

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

Mourvèdre

curated

Both are dark, structured, savoury Rhône varieties, and they are blended together constantly.

Expect: More gamey and earthy, with firmer, more austere tannin and less obvious fruit.

Blaufränkisch

curated

Shares the peppery, dark-fruited, savoury profile of cool-climate Syrah.

Expect: Lighter and higher in acid, with more red fruit and a sour-cherry edge.

Saperavi

curated

A dark, structured, savoury red for someone who wants Syrah’s intensity from somewhere unexpected.

Expect: Far darker in colour, with higher acidity and a distinctive sour-plum character.

Tempranillo

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

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

Blaufränkisch

curated

Shares the peppery, dark-fruited, savoury profile of cool-climate Syrah.

Expect: Lighter and higher in acid, with more red fruit and a sour-cherry edge.

Dolcetto

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

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

Mondeuse Noire

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

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

Fer Servadou

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

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

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.

Mondeuse Noire

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

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

Fer Servadou

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

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

Dolcetto

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

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

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

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

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and sweeter.

Barossa Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more oaky.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Both are made from syrah, 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 oaky.

Dalmatian Plavac Mali

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

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

Similar but less tannic

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

Grenache

curated

Its constant blending partner, sharing warm-climate Mediterranean character.

Expect: Paler, softer and sweeter in fruit, with higher alcohol but much less tannin and no pepper.

Argentine Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Southern Rhône blend

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

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

California Rhône blend

Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Priorat

Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.

Tannat

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less spicy.

Madiran

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less spicy.

Petit Verdot

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Similar but fresher

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

Argentine Cabernet Franc

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

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

Blaufränkisch

curated

Shares the peppery, dark-fruited, savoury profile of cool-climate Syrah.

Expect: Lighter and higher in acid, with more red fruit and a sour-cherry edge.

Bobal

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

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

Cahors

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

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

Similar but softer

Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.

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.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Both are made from syrah, 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 fresher and more acidic.

Dalmatian Plavac Mali

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

The sparkling version

Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.

Sparkling Shiraz

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

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

Lambrusco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Mourvèdre

curated

Both are dark, structured, savoury Rhône varieties, and they are blended together constantly.

Expect: More gamey and earthy, with firmer, more austere tannin and less obvious fruit.

Similar but sweeter

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

Saperavi

curated

A dark, structured, savoury red for someone who wants Syrah’s intensity from somewhere unexpected.

Expect: Far darker in colour, with higher acidity and a distinctive sour-plum character.

Touriga Franca

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

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

Port

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

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Pinotage

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

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

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.

Bobal

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

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

Broad-leaved Melnik

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

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

Colorino

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

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

Cornalin

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and leaner and more cutting.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Barossa Shiraz

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

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

Super Tuscan

Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Bolgheri

Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Similar but more aromatic

More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.

Nebbiolo

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

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

Barolo

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

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

Barbaresco

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

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

Northern Rhône Syrah

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

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

Similar but more restrained

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

Alicante Bouschet

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

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and sweeter.

Barossa Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fuller and richer.

Bekaa Valley Red

Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Similar but more floral

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

Hawke’s Bay Syrah

Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fresher and more acidic.

Douro red

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

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

Uco Valley Malbec

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

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

Dão

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

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

Similar but less floral

Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.

Bekaa Valley Red

Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Both are made from syrah, 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 fuller and richer.

Jumilla Monastrell

Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less spicy.

Languedoc red

Both are made from syrah, 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 oaky.

Similar but more savoury

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

Northern Rhône Syrah

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

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

Chianti Classico Riserva

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

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

Taurasi

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

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

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione

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

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Barossa Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fuller and richer.

Bolgheri

Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fuller and richer.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fuller and richer.

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.

Bekaa Valley Red

Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Jumilla Monastrell

Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stronger and warmer.

Washington Syrah

Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Hawke’s Bay Syrah

Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more floral.

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Northern Rhône Syrah

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.

Bekaa Valley Red

Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less floral.

Washington Syrah

Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Hawke’s Bay Syrah

Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fuller and richer.

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Both are made from syrah, 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 fresher and more acidic.

Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fresher and more acidic.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fresher and more acidic.

Barossa Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fresher and more acidic.

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.

Northern Rhône Syrah

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

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

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Both are made from syrah, 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 fuller and richer.

Super Tuscan

Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Tempranillo

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

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

Something more adventurous

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

Blaufränkisch

curated

Shares the peppery, dark-fruited, savoury profile of cool-climate Syrah.

Expect: Lighter and higher in acid, with more red fruit and a sour-cherry edge.

Saperavi

curated

A dark, structured, savoury red for someone who wants Syrah’s intensity from somewhere unexpected.

Expect: Far darker in colour, with higher acidity and a distinctive sour-plum character.

Mourvèdre

curated

Both are dark, structured, savoury Rhône varieties, and they are blended together constantly.

Expect: More gamey and earthy, with firmer, more austere tannin and less obvious fruit.

Languedoc red

Both are made from syrah, 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 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.

Mourvèdre

curated

Both are dark, structured, savoury Rhône varieties, and they are blended together constantly.

Expect: More gamey and earthy, with firmer, more austere tannin and less obvious fruit.

Languedoc red

Both are made from syrah, 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 oaky.

Bekaa Valley Red

Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Jumilla Monastrell

Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stronger and warmer.

A step up

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

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Both are made from syrah, 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 fuller and richer.

Ribera del Duero

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

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and sweeter.

Priorat

Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.

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.