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Wines like Syrah

A peppery, dark-fruited variety that produces two recognisably different wines depending on climate — and two different names to match. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

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What do you like about Syrah?

Optional — the results below already work without it. But “I like Malbec” is at least four different preferences wearing one name, and saying which one you mean changes the answer substantially. Only qualities this wine actually has are offered.

I like…

The firm, grippy structure The spice How aromatic it is The savoury, meaty side

But it’s a bit…

too drying or too tannic too oaky or woody too peppery too perfumed too earthy or musty too savoury or funky

Clear all

What these words mean

The firm, grippy structure: High tannin — the drying grip on your gums, like over-brewed tea. It gives a red something to hold on to with rich food, and it is what lets a wine age.
The vanilla and oak: Vanilla, toast, coconut, sweet spice, sometimes smoke. It comes from the barrel rather than the grape, which is why the same grape can taste completely different with and without it.
The spice: Black pepper, clove, cinnamon. Some of it is the grape — the pepper in Syrah is a measured compound called rotundone — and some is the barrel.
How aromatic it is: Some grapes announce themselves from across the room — Gewürztraminer, Muscat, Sauvignon Blanc. Others are far quieter, and quiet is not the same as dull.
The savoury, meaty side: Leather, olive, cured meat, dried herbs, tobacco. It is what people mean by calling a wine "serious" rather than "fruity", and it comes with age as well as with place.
The earthy, mineral side: Forest floor, wet stone, mushroom, damp earth. Widely described and much less well explained than wine writing implies — the sensation is real, the causal story usually is not.

Looking for something keeping the peppery, spicy character and the firm tannic structure, while moving away from too peppery.

You said you like the peppery, spicy character and that it is too peppery. Both are about spice, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.

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.

Mourvèdre

curated

Both are dark, structured, savoury Rhône varieties, and they are blended together constantly.

Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less peppery.

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 the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less peppery.

Jumilla Monastrell

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

Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less peppery.

Saperavi

curated

A dark, structured, savoury red for someone who wants Syrah’s intensity from somewhere unexpected.

Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less peppery.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less peppery.

Super Tuscan

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

Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less peppery.

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less peppery.

Tempranillo

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

Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less peppery.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Mourvèdre

curated

Both are dark, structured, savoury Rhône varieties, and they are blended together constantly.

Expect: More gamey and earthy, with firmer, more austere tannin and less obvious fruit.

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.

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 less floral.

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.

Different grape, similar feel

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

Mourvèdre

curated

Both are dark, structured, savoury Rhône varieties, and they are blended together constantly.

Expect: More gamey and earthy, with firmer, more austere tannin and less obvious fruit.

Malbec

curated

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

Expect: Softer, plusher and more floral, without the pepper and savoury meatiness.

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and fresher and more acidic.

Tempranillo

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

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

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.

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

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fresher and more acidic.

Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fresher and more acidic.

Red Burgundy

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 fresher and more acidic.

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

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 lighter.

Mondeuse Noire

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fresher and more acidic.

Red Burgundy

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 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 less tannic and softer, and less oaky.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Barossa Shiraz

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.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

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

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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.

Priorat

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

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

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.

Argentine Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

California Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Agiorgitiko

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

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 fuller and richer.

Petit Verdot

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

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

Brunello di Montalcino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fresher and more acidic.

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fresher and more acidic.

Similar but fresher

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

Blaufränkisch

curated

Shares the peppery, dark-fruited, savoury profile of cool-climate Syrah.

Expect: Lighter and higher in acid, with more red fruit and a sour-cherry edge.

Cornalin

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

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

Red Bordeaux

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

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

Sangiovese

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more herbal and green.

Similar but softer

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

Nothing in WineHQ's catalogue makes this move meaningfully from here. These are the closest wines otherwise, but do not expect them to deliver what you asked for — the honest answer is that this style does not have a good neighbour in that direction.

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.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

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

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Barossa Shiraz

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

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

The sparkling version

Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.

Sparkling Shiraz

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

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

Lambrusco

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

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Mourvèdre

curated

Both are dark, structured, savoury Rhône varieties, and they are blended together constantly.

Expect: More gamey and earthy, with firmer, more austere tannin and less obvious fruit.

Similar but sweeter

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

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.

Pinotage

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

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

Port

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

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

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Broad-leaved Melnik

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

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

Cornalin

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.

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.

Nero di Troia

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

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Barossa Shiraz

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

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

Super Tuscan

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

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

Bolgheri

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

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

Similar but more aromatic

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

Nebbiolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fresher and more acidic.

Barolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fresher and more acidic.

Barbaresco

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

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

Malbec

curated

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

Expect: Softer, plusher and more floral, without the pepper and savoury meatiness.

Similar but more restrained

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

Bolgheri

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

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

Broad-leaved Melnik

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.

Fetească Neagră

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.

Jumilla Monastrell

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and earthier.

Similar but more floral

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

Nebbiolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fresher and more acidic.

Barolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fresher and more acidic.

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.

Douro red

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

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

Similar but less floral

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

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 stronger and warmer.

Mourvèdre

curated

Both are dark, structured, savoury Rhône varieties, and they are blended together constantly.

Expect: More gamey and earthy, with firmer, more austere tannin and less obvious fruit.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

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 fuller and richer.

Super Tuscan

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

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Barolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fresher and more acidic.

Taurasi

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fresher and more acidic.

Brunello di Montalcino

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fresher and more acidic.

Chianti Classico Riserva

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fresher and more acidic.

Similar but fruitier

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

Bolgheri

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

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

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

Shiraz

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

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

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

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 fuller and richer.

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.

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 less floral.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

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 fuller and richer.

Super Tuscan

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

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

Bolgheri

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

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

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Bekaa Valley Red

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

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

Washington Syrah

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

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

Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends

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

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

Montsant

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more herbal and green.

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Shiraz

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.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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.

Barossa Shiraz

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.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Change the mood

Safer, stranger, cheaper or more serious.

A safe next step

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

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.

Super Tuscan

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

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, 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 herbal and green, and fresher and more acidic.

Tempranillo

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

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

Something more adventurous

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

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.

Mourvèdre

curated

Both are dark, structured, savoury Rhône varieties, and they are blended together constantly.

Expect: More gamey and earthy, with firmer, more austere tannin and less obvious fruit.

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 less floral.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

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 fuller and richer.

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.

Mourvèdre

curated

Both are dark, structured, savoury Rhône varieties, and they are blended together constantly.

Expect: More gamey and earthy, with firmer, more austere tannin and less obvious fruit.

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 less floral.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

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 fuller and richer.

Bolgheri

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

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

A step up

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

Ribera del Duero

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

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

Priorat

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.

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 spicier, and more herbal and green.

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

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

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.