If you like this, try…
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.
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.
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.
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.
Pinot Noir
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.
Morgon
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.
Cabernet Franc
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.
Gamay
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.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
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.
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.
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 lighter.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fresher and more acidic.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
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 herbal and green, 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 lighter.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fresher and more acidic.
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.
Cabernet Franc
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 less spicy.
Gamay
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 less spicy.
Muscat Bailey A
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
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.
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.
Cabernet Franc
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 less spicy.
Gamay
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 less spicy.
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 lighter.
Muscat Bailey A
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
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 herbal and green.
Priorat
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fresher and more acidic.
Dalmatian Plavac Mali
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Gamay
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 less spicy.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
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.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fresher and more acidic.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fresher and more acidic.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fresher and more acidic.
Priorat
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fuller and richer.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less spicy.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fresher and more acidic.
Cabernet Franc
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 less spicy.
Gamay
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 less spicy.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less tannic and softer.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less tannic and softer.
Gewürztraminer
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less tannic and softer.
Muscat of Alexandria
Muscat of Alexandria scores closest to Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less tannic and softer.
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 sweeter.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and stiller.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and stiller.
Champagne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Muscat Bailey A
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
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.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fresher and more acidic.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, 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.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more oaky.
Cabernet Franc
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 less spicy.
Gamay
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 more oaky.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Barossa Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less oaky.
Super Tuscan
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 herbal and green.
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 fresher and more acidic.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fresher and more acidic.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fresher and more acidic.
Gewürztraminer
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.
Mourvèdre
curatedBoth 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.
Languedoc red
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 herbal and green.
Southern Rhône blend
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 herbal and green.
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.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fresher and more acidic.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, 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 floral, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
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.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fresher and more acidic.
Muscat Bailey A
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Mourvèdre
curatedBoth 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 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 aromatic, and fresher and more acidic.
Rioja Gran Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fresher and more acidic.
Northern Rhône Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fresher and more acidic.
Taurasi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fresher and more acidic.
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 more neutral and subtle, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
California Rhône blend
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 herbal and green.
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 herbal and green.
California Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fresher and more acidic.
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.
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 fresher and more acidic.
Jumilla Monastrell
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 floral.
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 fresher and more acidic.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
Northern Rhône Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fuller and richer.
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 fuller and richer.
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 fuller and richer.
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 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 more neutral and subtle, and more herbal and green.
Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Barossa Shiraz
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 mood
Safer, stranger, cheaper or more serious.
A safe next step
Well-known wines that are widely available and unlikely to surprise anyone.
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 herbal and green, 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 lighter.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and less spicy.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fresher and more acidic.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Blaufränkisch
curatedShares 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.
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.
A better-value alternative
Wines that occupy similar sensory territory from regions carrying less price premium. WineHQ does not hold live prices, so this reasons from regional reputation and demand rather than from a price feed — treat it as a lead, not a quote.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fresher and more acidic.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Mourvèdre
curatedBoth 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.
Languedoc red
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 herbal and green.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more herbal and green.
Priorat
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fuller and richer.
Ribera del Duero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fuller and richer.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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.