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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 the savoury, non-fruity character, 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 savoury, non-fruity character.
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 savoury, non-fruity character.
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 savoury, non-fruity character.
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.
Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Substantially less peppery.

Priorat

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 savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less peppery.

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 the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Substantially less peppery.

Ribera del Duero

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

Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less peppery.

Melnik

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

Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 restrained in fruit, and less tannic and softer.

Red Burgundy

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

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

Trousseau

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

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

Australian Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, 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

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

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

Red Burgundy

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

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

Trousseau

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

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

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Priorat

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 fresher and more acidic.

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 fruitier.

Ribera del Duero

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

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

Douro red

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

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, 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.

Carmenère

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.

Chilean Carmenère

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.

New Zealand Pinot Noir

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

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Priorat

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

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

Aglianico

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

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

Nebbiolo

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

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

Brunello di Montalcino

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

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

Similar but fresher

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

Aglianico

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

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

Australian Pinot Noir

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

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

Cornalin

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

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

Nebbiolo

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

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

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.

Jumilla Monastrell

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 leaner and more cutting.

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.

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.

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 fruitier.

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 fruitier.

Lambrusco

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

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Franciacorta

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more sparkling.

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 fruit-driven, and more neutral and subtle.

Tawny Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and sweeter.

Corvina

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

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, 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.

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.

Trousseau

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

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Ribera del Duero

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fuller and richer.

Tempranillo

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

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

Rioja

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

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

Rioja Reserva

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

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

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 restrained in fruit, and fresher and more acidic.

Barolo

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

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

Barbaresco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 restrained in fruit, and more neutral and subtle.

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 lighter, and fresher and more acidic.

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.

Carmenère

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.

Chilean Carmenère

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 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 restrained in fruit, and fresher and more acidic.

Barolo

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

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

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.

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 restrained in fruit, and less floral.

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.

Priorat

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, 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.

Similar but more savoury

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

Barolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Taurasi

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Brunello di Montalcino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Rioja Gran Reserva

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 fruit-driven.

Bolgheri

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

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

California Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Priorat

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

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

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 more neutral and subtle.

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 more neutral and subtle.

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.

Hawke’s Bay Syrah

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

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

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 fruitier, and spicier.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barossa Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Priorat

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

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

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.

Tempranillo

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

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

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 restrained in fruit, and more herbal and green.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A step up

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

Priorat

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

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

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.

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 fruitier.

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fruitier.

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.