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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 oaky or woody and 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.
- About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.
- 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 oaky or woody.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Valais Cornalin
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 oaky or woody.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Saperavi
curatedA dark, structured, savoury red for someone who wants Syrah’s intensity from somewhere unexpected.
- 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 oaky or woody.
- About as earthy or musty as the wine you started from.
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.
- About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
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 oaky or woody.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Rosso di Montalcino
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 oaky or woody.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Montsant
Both are made from syrah, and 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.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- 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.
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.
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.
Saperavi
curatedA 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.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
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.
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.
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 oaky, 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.
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.
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.
Dolcetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, 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.
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.
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.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
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 more oaky.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more oaky.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more oaky.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more oaky.
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.
Valpolicella Ripasso
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 more oaky.
Chilean Carmenère
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more oaky.
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 more oaky.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more oaky.
Tannat
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 less spicy.
Madiran
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 less spicy.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
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.
Rosso di Montalcino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Cornalin
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Areni
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 less spicy.
Condrieu
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.
Viognier
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.
Pedro Ximénez
Pedro Ximénez scores closest to Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
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 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 spicy, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Saperavi
curatedA 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.
Vintage Port
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Grenache
curatedIts constant blending partner, sharing warm-climate Mediterranean character.
Expect: Paler, softer and sweeter in fruit, with higher alcohol but much less tannin and no pepper.
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.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
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.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from syrah.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Bolgheri
Both are made from syrah.
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 aromatic, and earthier.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and earthier.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and earthier.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less oaky.
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.
Rosso di Montalcino
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.
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.
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.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more aromatic.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
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.
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 oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Cornalin
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Rosso di Montalcino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
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.
Taurasi
Taurasi scores closest to Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and earthier.
Naoussa Xinomavro
Naoussa Xinomavro scores closest to Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and earthier.
Xinomavro
Xinomavro 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.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
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.
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.
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.
Hawke’s Bay Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and spicier.
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 oaky.
Australian Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more neutral and subtle.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
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.
Hawke’s Bay Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and spicier.
Australian Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more neutral and subtle.
Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 oaky, 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.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Saperavi
curatedA 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.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Rosso di Montalcino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
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.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Rosso di Montalcino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
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.
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 more oaky.
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.
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.
Ribera del Duero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, 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.