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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.
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, 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.
California Rhône blend
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
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.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Plavac Mali
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- 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 peppery, spicy character.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Hawke’s Bay Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Zinfandel
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Nero di Troia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the peppery, spicy 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.
California Rhône blend
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 herbal and green.
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.
Plavac Mali
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fuller and richer.
Dalmatian Plavac Mali
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fuller and richer.
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 fuller and richer.
Dalmatian Plavac Mali
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fuller and richer.
Zinfandel
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and sweeter.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fresher and more acidic.
Trousseau
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 less spicy.
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.
Egri Bikavér
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less spicy.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fresher and more acidic.
Trousseau
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 less spicy.
Gamay
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.
Grolleau
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Amarone della Valpolicella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and sweeter.
Dalmatian Plavac Mali
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more neutral and subtle.
Primitivo di Manduria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Plavac Mali
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and leaner and more cutting.
Similar but 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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, 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.
Zinfandel
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less spicy.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Petite Sirah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Petit Verdot
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 less spicy.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less spicy.
Mavrud
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more neutral and subtle.
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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and spicier.
Mondeuse Noire
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 less oaky.
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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
Gewürztraminer
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 less tannic and softer.
Condrieu
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less spicy.
Viognier
Both come from the same country.
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 fresher and more acidic.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less spicy.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, 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 stiller, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Zinfandel
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Tawny Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and sweeter.
Amarone della Valpolicella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fuller and richer.
Vintage Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and sweeter.
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.
Mondeuse Noire
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 fresher and more acidic.
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 neutral and subtle.
Trincadeira
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Cornalin
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less spicy.
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 less spicy.
Barossa Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less spicy.
Super Tuscan
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 less spicy.
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 less spicy.
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 earthier, and less spicy.
Barolo
Barolo scores closest to Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and less spicy.
Gewürztraminer
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 less tannic and softer.
Condrieu
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less spicy.
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 sweeter.
California Rhône blend
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 herbal and green.
Dalmatian Plavac Mali
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fuller and richer.
Nero di Troia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less oaky.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Hawke’s Bay Syrah
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 spicier.
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.
Petit Verdot
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 less spicy.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less spicy.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
California Rhône blend
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 herbal and green.
Plavac Mali
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fuller and richer.
Dalmatian Plavac Mali
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fuller and richer.
Zinfandel
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 more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Rioja Gran Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more neutral and subtle.
Northern Rhône Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and spicier.
Barolo
Barolo scores closest to Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and less spicy.
Taurasi
Taurasi scores closest to Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and less spicy.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
California Rhône blend
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 herbal and green.
Petite Sirah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fuller and richer.
Zinfandel
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and sweeter.
Primitivo di Manduria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and sweeter.
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.
California Rhône blend
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 herbal and green.
Hawke’s Bay Syrah
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 spicier.
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 less spicy.
Super Tuscan
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 less spicy.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and spicier.
Australian Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less spicy.
Bekaa Valley Red
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fuller and richer.
Washington Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fuller and richer.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less spicy.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less spicy.
Barossa Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, 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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less spicy.
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.
Zinfandel
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and sweeter.
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.
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.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
California Rhône blend
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 herbal and green.
Plavac Mali
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fuller and richer.
Dalmatian Plavac Mali
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fuller and richer.
Hawke’s Bay Syrah
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 spicier.
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.
California Rhône blend
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 herbal and green.
Plavac Mali
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fuller and richer.
Dalmatian Plavac Mali
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fuller and richer.
Hawke’s Bay Syrah
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 spicier.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and sweeter.
Ribera del Duero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and less spicy.
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 herbal and green.
Priorat
Both are made from syrah.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and less spicy.
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.