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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 the savoury, non-fruity character, the firm tannic structure and the peppery, spicy 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.

Hawke’s Bay Syrah

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

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Malbec

curated

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

Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Plavac Mali

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

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Dalmatian Plavac Mali

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

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

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 savoury, non-fruity character.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
About as earthy or musty as the wine you started from.

Nero di Troia

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

Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Valais Cornalin

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

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
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.

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 spicier.

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.

Plavac Mali

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

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

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.

Different grape, similar feel

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

Plavac Mali

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

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

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.

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

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

Nero di Troia

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

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

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 fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

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.

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Dolcetto

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, 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.

Mondeuse Noire

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

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

Dolcetto

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Pinot Noir

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

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

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 fruitier.

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.

Plavac Mali

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

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

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

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.

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Carmenère

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Chilean Carmenère

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Petite Sirah

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

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

Mavrud

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fresher

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

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.

Cornalin

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

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

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 spicier.

Valais Cornalin

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

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

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.

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.

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.

Plavac Mali

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

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

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 earthier, and more herbal and green.

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 less tannic and softer.

Lambrusco

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

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

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 stiller, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Similar but sweeter

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

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

Vintage Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less spicy.

Nero di Troia

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

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

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 earthier, and more herbal and green.

Mondeuse Noire

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

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

Barossa Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Super Tuscan

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 fruit-driven.

Bolgheri

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

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

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 earthier, and more tannic and structured.

Barolo

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

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

Barbaresco

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

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

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 more restrained

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

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

Cornalin

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

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

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.

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 earthier, and more herbal and green.

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 spicier.

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.

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.

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but less floral

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

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.

Plavac Mali

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

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

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

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 earthier, and more herbal and green.

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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, 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.

Barolo

Barolo 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 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 fruitier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Plavac Mali

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

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

Dalmatian Plavac Mali

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

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

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and spicier.

Super Tuscan

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 fruit-driven.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Bolgheri

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

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

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and spicier.

Bekaa Valley Red

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

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

Washington Syrah

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

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

Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends

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

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

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 fruitier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barossa Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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 fruitier, 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.

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

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

Super Tuscan

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 fruit-driven.

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.

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 fruit-driven.

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and spicier.

Plavac Mali

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

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

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.

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 earthier, and more herbal and green.

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and spicier.

Plavac Mali

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

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

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.

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 earthier, and more herbal and green.

A step up

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

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

Ribera del Duero

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

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

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 earthier, and fruitier.

Priorat

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

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

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.