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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.

← Back to Syrah

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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 and how much it smells of, before you even taste it, while moving away from too drying or too tannic and too oaky or woody.

Based on what you said

Ranked against the qualities you named rather than against the wine as a whole. The directions below are refined the same way.

Grenache

curated

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

Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less oaky or woody.

Morgon

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

Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less oaky or woody.

Pinot Noir

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

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.

Australian Pinot Noir

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

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less oaky or woody.

Cabernet Franc

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

Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less oaky or woody.

Southern Rhône blend

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

Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
A little less oaky or woody.

Areni

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

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less oaky or woody.

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

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.

Grenache

curated

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

Expect: Paler, softer and sweeter in fruit, with higher alcohol but much less tannin and no pepper.

Morgon

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.

Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more restrained in fruit.

Australian Pinot Noir

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

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

Morgon

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.

Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more restrained in fruit.

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.

Australian Pinot Noir

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

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

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.

Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more restrained in fruit.

Cabernet Franc

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

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

Cru Beaujolais

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 less spicy.

Trousseau

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.

Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more restrained in fruit.

Cabernet Franc

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

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

Cru Beaujolais

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 less spicy.

Trousseau

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

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

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 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 more oaky.

Dalmatian Plavac Mali

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Southern Rhône blend

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 more neutral and subtle, and more fruit-driven.

Valpolicella Ripasso

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

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

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Priorat

Both are made from syrah.

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

Nebbiolo

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

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

Barbaresco

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less spicy.

Barolo

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

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

Similar but fresher

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

Morgon

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.

Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more restrained in fruit.

Australian Pinot Noir

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

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

Areni

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

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.

Similar but softer

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

Marsanne

Both come from the same country.

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

Condrieu

Both come from the same country.

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

Viognier

Both come from the same country.

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

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.

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 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 less oaky.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Champagne

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 less spicy.

Similar but sweeter

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

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Valpolicella Ripasso

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

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

Vin Doux Naturel

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 oaky.

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.

Morgon

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.

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.

Australian Pinot Noir

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

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

Cabernet Franc

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

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

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

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Barossa Shiraz

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

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

Ribera del Duero

Ribera del Duero scores closest to Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Similar but more aromatic

More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barbaresco

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

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

Barolo

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

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

Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more restrained in fruit.

Similar but more restrained

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

Australian Pinot Noir

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

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

Southern Rhône blend

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 more neutral and subtle, and more fruit-driven.

Areni

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

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.

Chianti

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more floral

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

Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more restrained in fruit.

Cabernet Franc

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

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

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 spicy.

Cru Beaujolais

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 less spicy.

Similar but less floral

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

Morgon

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.

Australian Pinot Noir

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

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

Southern Rhône blend

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 more neutral and subtle, and more fruit-driven.

Areni

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

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.

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 more savoury, and more oaky.

Chianti Classico Riserva

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

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

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 more neutral and subtle.

Barolo

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

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

Similar but fruitier

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

California Pinot Noir

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.

Argentine Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barbera d’Alba

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

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 more neutral and subtle, and more tannic and structured.

Jumilla Monastrell

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 more tannic and structured.

Australian Grenache

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Montsant

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

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

Same grape, cooler climate

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

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 more neutral and subtle, and more tannic and structured.

Australian Grenache

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Montsant

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

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

Bekaa Valley Red

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

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

Same grape, warmer climate

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

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 more neutral and subtle, and more tannic and structured.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Shiraz

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

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

Change the mood

Safer, stranger, cheaper or more serious.

A safe next step

Well-known wines that are widely available and unlikely to surprise anyone.

Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more restrained in fruit.

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.

Cabernet Franc

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

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

Southern Rhône blend

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 more neutral and subtle, and more fruit-driven.

Something more adventurous

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

Morgon

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.

Australian Pinot Noir

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

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

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.

Areni

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

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.

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.

Morgon

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.

Australian Pinot Noir

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

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

Areni

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

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.

Valpolicella Ripasso

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

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.

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 more neutral and subtle, and more tannic and structured.

Amarone della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Ribera del Duero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Priorat

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

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

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.