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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

Clear all

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 how much it smells of, before you even taste it, while moving away from too earthy or musty, too oaky or woody 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.

Grenache

curated

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

Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Gamay

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

Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Malbec

curated

Similar weight, dark fruit and velvet texture — the commonest crossover for people who like full reds.

Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.
About as drying or too tannic as the wine you started from.

Valpolicella Ripasso

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

Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Prokupac

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

Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Australian Grenache

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

Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Muscat Bailey A

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Areni

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

Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
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.

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.

Gamay

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 tannic and softer.

Malbec

curated

Similar weight, dark fruit and velvet texture — the commonest crossover for people who like full reds.

Expect: Softer, plusher and more floral, without the pepper and savoury meatiness.

Valpolicella Ripasso

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

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

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.

Gamay

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 tannic and softer.

Valpolicella Ripasso

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

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

Prokupac

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

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

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.

Gamay

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 tannic and softer.

Muscat Bailey A

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Trousseau

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.

Cabernet Franc

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 earthier.

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.

Gamay

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 tannic and softer.

Muscat Bailey A

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Trousseau

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.

Cabernet Franc

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 earthier.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Argentine Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more oaky.

Primitivo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more tannic and structured.

Dalmatian Plavac Mali

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more tannic and structured.

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

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

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more oaky.

Valpolicella Ripasso

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

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

Australian Grenache

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

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Petit Verdot

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more neutral and subtle.

Touriga Nacional

Touriga Nacional scores closest to Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more neutral and subtle.

Toro

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more neutral and subtle.

Petite Sirah

Petite Sirah scores closest to Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more neutral and subtle.

Similar but fresher

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

Gamay

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 tannic and softer.

Areni

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

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

Valpolicella Ripasso

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

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

Prokupac

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

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

Similar but softer

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

Condrieu

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

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

Viognier

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

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

Marsanne

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more neutral and subtle.

Pedro Ximénez

Pedro Ximénez scores closest to Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

The sparkling version

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

Sparkling Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more oaky.

Lambrusco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.

English sparkling rosé

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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.

Ruby Port

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

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

Valpolicella Ripasso

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

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

Muscat Bailey A

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.

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.

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.

Gamay

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 tannic and softer.

Trousseau

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.

Muscat Bailey A

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

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more neutral and subtle.

Barossa Shiraz

Barossa Shiraz scores closest to Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more neutral and subtle.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

California Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more neutral and subtle.

Super Tuscan

Both are made from syrah.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more neutral and subtle.

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 tannic and structured, and more aromatic.

Barolo

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

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

Barbaresco

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

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

Condrieu

Both come from the same country.

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

Similar but more restrained

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

Valpolicella Ripasso

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

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

Prokupac

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Areni

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Zweigelt

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more floral

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

Gamay

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 tannic and softer.

Cabernet Franc

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 earthier.

Australian Grenache

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

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

Malbec

curated

Similar weight, dark fruit and velvet texture — the commonest crossover for people who like full reds.

Expect: Softer, plusher and more floral, without the pepper and savoury meatiness.

Similar but less floral

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

Valpolicella Ripasso

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

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

Prokupac

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

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

Muscat Bailey A

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Areni

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

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Rioja Gran Reserva

Rioja Gran Reserva scores closest to Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more oaky.

Chianti Classico Riserva

Chianti Classico Riserva scores closest to Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more neutral and subtle.

Barolo

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

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

Northern Rhône Syrah

Both are made from syrah, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more neutral and subtle.

Similar but fruitier

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

Primitivo

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

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

California Rhône blend

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

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more oaky.

Argentine Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more oaky.

Zinfandel

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more 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.

Australian Grenache

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

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

California Rhône blend

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

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more oaky.

Montsant

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

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more tannic and structured.

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Australian Grenache

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

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

Montsant

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

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.

Hawke’s Bay Syrah

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

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and spicier.

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.

Same grape, warmer climate

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more tannic and structured.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more tannic and structured.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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 earthier, and more neutral and subtle.

Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more neutral and subtle.

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.

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.

Gamay

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 tannic and softer.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.

Cabernet Franc

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 earthier.

Something more adventurous

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

Valpolicella Ripasso

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

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

Prokupac

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

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

Australian Grenache

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

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

Muscat Bailey A

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Valpolicella Ripasso

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

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

Prokupac

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

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

Australian Grenache

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

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

Muscat Bailey A

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

A step up

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more tannic and structured.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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 earthier, and more neutral and subtle.

Ribera del Duero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more neutral and subtle.

Priorat

Both are made from syrah.

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

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.