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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.
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 how much it smells of, before you even taste it and the savoury, non-fruity character, while moving away from too earthy or musty.
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.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Cabernet Sauvignon
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.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Hawke’s Bay Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and 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.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Grenache
curatedIts 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.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Uruguayan Tannat
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.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Carmenère
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Chilean Carmenère
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Valais Cornalin
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
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 more fruit-driven, and more herbal and green.
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 more neutral and subtle, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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.
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 more fruit-driven, and more herbal and green.
Uruguayan Tannat
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.
Carmenère
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
Trousseau
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less tannic and softer.
Dolcetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Valpolicella
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 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.
Trousseau
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less tannic and softer.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and earthier.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Dalmatian Plavac Mali
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Uruguayan Tannat
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
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 less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
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.
Carmenère
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.
Chilean Carmenère
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.
Argentine Malbec
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 structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Petit Verdot
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Tannat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and earthier.
Madiran
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and earthier.
Toro
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 fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
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 more neutral and subtle, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Rosso di Montalcino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Valais Cornalin
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.
Cornalin
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.
Marsanne
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Pedro Ximénez
Pedro Ximénez scores closest to Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Condrieu
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Viognier
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, 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
Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more neutral and subtle.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more neutral and subtle.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more neutral and subtle.
Champagne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Tawny Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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.
Cornalin
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.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Nero di Troia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Trousseau
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Barossa Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
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.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and earthier.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco 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 earthier.
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.
Uruguayan Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Carmenère
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Chilean Carmenère
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Valais Cornalin
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.
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 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.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less tannic and softer.
Petit Verdot
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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 more fruit-driven, and more herbal and green.
Uruguayan Tannat
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.
Carmenère
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.
Chilean Carmenère
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.
Barolo
Barolo scores closest to Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and earthier.
Northern Rhône Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and both come from the same country.
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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.
California Rhône blend
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.
Bolgheri
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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.
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 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.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
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 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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Australian Grenache
Australian Grenache scores closest to Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more neutral and subtle.
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 fruitier.
Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fruitier.
Barossa Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fruitier.
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 fruitier.
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 more fruit-driven, and more herbal and green.
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.
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.
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 more neutral and subtle, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Uruguayan Tannat
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.
Carmenère
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Chilean Carmenère
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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.
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 more neutral and subtle, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Uruguayan Tannat
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.
Carmenère
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Chilean Carmenère
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and earthier.
Priorat
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, 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 neutral and subtle.
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.