If you like this, try…
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.
Refine
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.
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 peppery, spicy character, the firm tannic structure and how much it smells of, before you even taste it, while moving away from too earthy or musty and too savoury or funky.
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.
Malbec
curatedSimilar weight, dark fruit and velvet texture — the commonest crossover for people who like full reds.
- Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- A little less savoury or funky.
Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- A little less savoury or funky.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Bolgheri
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
California Rhône blend
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
- Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Blaufränkisch
curatedShares the peppery, dark-fruited, savoury profile of cool-climate Syrah.
- Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- About as earthy or musty as the wine you started from.
- A little less savoury or funky.
Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Malbec
curatedSimilar 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.
Cabernet Sauvignon
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 more restrained in fruit.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from syrah, and 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.
Bolgheri
Both are made from syrah, and 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.
Malbec
curatedSimilar 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.
Cabernet Sauvignon
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 more restrained in fruit.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more fruit-driven.
Nero di Troia
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.
Mondeuse Noire
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more fruit-driven.
Blaufränkisch
curatedShares 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.
Trousseau
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 more neutral and subtle.
Dolcetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more neutral and subtle.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more fruit-driven.
Trousseau
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 more neutral and subtle.
Fer Servadou
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more neutral and subtle.
Dolcetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Primitivo di Manduria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more fruit-driven.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
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.
Barossa Shiraz
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.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
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 less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
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 neutral and subtle.
Grenache
curatedIts 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 more neutral and subtle.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Petite Sirah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more neutral and subtle.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more neutral and subtle.
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 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 less spicy.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Blaufränkisch
curatedShares 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.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from syrah, and 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.
Mondeuse Noire
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more fruit-driven.
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 more savoury.
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.
Malbec
curatedSimilar 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.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more fruit-driven.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
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.
Barossa Shiraz
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.
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 fruit-driven.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more neutral and subtle.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more neutral and subtle.
Malbec
curatedSimilar 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 sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Vintage Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more tannic and structured.
Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Primitivo di Manduria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more fruit-driven.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more tannic and structured.
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.
Nero di Troia
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.
Mondeuse Noire
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more fruit-driven.
Trincadeira
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more fruit-driven.
Cornalin
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more savoury.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Barossa Shiraz
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.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
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.
Bolgheri
Both are made from syrah, and 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.
Shiraz
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 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 earthier.
Barolo
Barolo scores closest to Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more savoury.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less spicy.
Malbec
curatedSimilar 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 more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Bolgheri
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more fruit-driven.
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 less tannic and softer.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Malbec
curatedSimilar 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.
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 more savoury.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more tannic and structured.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Cabernet Sauvignon
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 more restrained in fruit.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from syrah, and 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.
Bolgheri
Both are made from syrah, and 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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less tannic and softer.
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 both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and earthier.
Barolo
Barolo scores closest to Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and earthier.
Rioja Gran Reserva
Rioja Gran Reserva scores closest to Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and earthier.
Taurasi
Taurasi scores closest to Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and earthier.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from syrah, and 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.
Bolgheri
Both are made from syrah, and 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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less tannic and softer.
Primitivo di Manduria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more neutral and subtle.
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.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from syrah, and 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.
Bolgheri
Both are made from syrah, and 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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less tannic and softer.
Shiraz
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.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
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 more savoury.
Montsant
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more neutral and subtle.
Australian Grenache
Australian Grenache scores closest to Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more neutral and subtle.
Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more neutral and subtle.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Shiraz
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.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
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.
Barossa Shiraz
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.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from syrah, and 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 mood
Safer, stranger, cheaper or more serious.
A safe next step
Well-known wines that are widely available and unlikely to surprise anyone.
Malbec
curatedSimilar 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.
Cabernet Sauvignon
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 more restrained in fruit.
Shiraz
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.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Blaufränkisch
curatedShares 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.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from syrah, and 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.
Bolgheri
Both are made from syrah, and 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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less tannic and softer.
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.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from syrah, and 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.
Bolgheri
Both are made from syrah, and 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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less tannic and softer.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more fruit-driven.
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 savoury, and more neutral and subtle.
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 savoury.
Ribera del Duero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more neutral and subtle.
Priorat
Both are made from syrah.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more savoury.
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.