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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

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

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.
Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

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.

Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
A little less savoury or funky.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Grenache

curated

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

Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
A little less savoury or funky.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Malbec

curated

Similar 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.
Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
A little less savoury or funky.
About as drying or too tannic as the wine you started from.

Zinfandel

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

Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

California Pinot Noir

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

Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Argentine Malbec

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

Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Primitivo

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

Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

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 more neutral and subtle, and more herbal and green.

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 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.

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.

Different grape, similar feel

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

Zinfandel

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

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

California Pinot Noir

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

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

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.

Argentine Malbec

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

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

Change the structure

Same idea, different weight, grip or freshness.

Similar but lighter

Keeps the character but reduces weight, alcohol and density in the mouth.

Trousseau

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

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

Pinot Noir

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

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

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.

Mondeuse Noire

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 fruit-driven.

Similar but lower in alcohol

Holds the character and the weight where it can, and moves specifically on strength. Note that below about 11% the choices narrow sharply, and below 5% they are mostly a different category rather than a lighter version of the same one.

Trousseau

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

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

Pinot Noir

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

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

Mondeuse Noire

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 fruit-driven.

Gamay

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.

Argentine Malbec

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

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

Primitivo di Manduria

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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

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

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.

California Rhône blend

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 herbal and green.

Argentine Malbec

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

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

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 restrained in fruit.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Petite Sirah

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

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

Touriga Nacional

Touriga Nacional scores closest to Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Petit Verdot

Both come from the same country.

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

Mavrud

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

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

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.

Areni

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Egri Bikavér

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

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

Corvina

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

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

Similar but softer

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

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.

Gewürztraminer

Both come from the same country.

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

Argentine Malbec

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

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

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 neutral and subtle, and more fruit-driven.

Lambrusco

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

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

California Rhône blend

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 stiller.

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 more neutral and subtle, and more fruit-driven.

Vin Doux Naturel

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.

Late Bottled Vintage Port

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

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

Sparkling Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Trincadeira

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Trousseau

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

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

Prokupac

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 oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Barossa Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Bolgheri

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

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

Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 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.

Gewürztraminer

Both come from the same country.

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

Similar but more restrained

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

California Rhône blend

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 herbal and green.

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 restrained in fruit.

Zinfandel

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

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

California Pinot Noir

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 floral

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

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.

Argentine Malbec

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

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

Pinot Noir

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

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

Australian Grenache

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 more neutral and subtle, and more herbal and green.

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 restrained in fruit.

Zinfandel

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

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

California Pinot Noir

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 savoury

Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

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

Northern Rhône Syrah

Both are made from syrah, and 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 savoury, and more tannic and structured.

Taurasi

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

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

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 more neutral and subtle, and more herbal and green.

Zinfandel

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

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

California Pinot Noir

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

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

Argentine Malbec

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

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

California Rhône blend

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 herbal and green.

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.

Australian Grenache

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Bolgheri

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

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

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Australian Grenache

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Washington 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 more tannic and structured.

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.

Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends

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.

Shiraz

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

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

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

Barossa Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

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 restrained in fruit.

Zinfandel

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

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

California Pinot Noir

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

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

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.

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 more neutral and subtle, and more herbal and green.

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.

Trincadeira

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Agiorgitiko

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

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.

California Rhône blend

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 herbal and green.

Trincadeira

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Agiorgitiko

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

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

Alentejo red

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

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.

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 savoury, and more neutral and subtle.

Amarone della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Ribera del Duero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Priorat

Both are made from syrah.

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

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.