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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 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

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.

Blaufränkisch

curated

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

Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.

Languedoc red

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.

Bekaa Valley Red

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.

Washington Syrah

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.

Southern Rhône blend

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

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 how much it smells of, before you even taste it.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

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

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.

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.

Languedoc red

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 herbal and green.

Bekaa Valley Red

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.

Different grape, similar feel

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

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 less spicy, and more herbal and green.

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 spicy, and less tannic and softer.

Fetească Neagră

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

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

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 spicy, and less tannic and softer.

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 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 more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.

Similar but lower in alcohol

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

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 spicy, and less tannic and softer.

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 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 more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.

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.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

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 more neutral and subtle, and more herbal and green.

Dalmatian Plavac Mali

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

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

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

Primitivo di Manduria

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but less tannic

For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.

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 herbal and green.

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.

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.

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

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.

Mavrud

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

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

Petite Sirah

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Nebbiolo

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 less spicy.

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.

Washington Syrah

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 earthier.

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 more neutral and subtle, and more herbal and green.

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 spicy, and less tannic and softer.

Similar but softer

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

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.

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 spicy.

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 spicy.

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.

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 less spicy.

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.

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 sweeter

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

Tawny Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Zinfandel

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

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

Vintage Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

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

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.

Nero di Troia

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

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

Trincadeira

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 fresher and more acidic.

Languedoc red

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 herbal and green.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Rioja Gran Reserva

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barossa Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Tempranillo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 less spicy.

Barolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barbaresco

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

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

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.

Similar but more restrained

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

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.

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.

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.

Similar but more floral

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

Nebbiolo

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 less spicy.

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.

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 spicy, and less floral.

Similar but less floral

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

Languedoc red

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 herbal and green.

Bekaa Valley Red

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.

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 herbal and green.

Cabernet Sauvignon

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 herbal and green.

Similar but more savoury

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

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

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

Barolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 spicier.

Taurasi

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Petite Sirah

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Primitivo di Manduria

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

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

Washington Syrah

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.

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 herbal and green.

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.

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 more neutral and subtle, 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 more neutral and subtle, and fuller and richer.

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 herbal and green.

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 spicier.

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 less spicy.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barossa Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

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.

Cabernet Sauvignon

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 herbal and green.

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.

Something more adventurous

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

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.

Languedoc red

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 herbal and green.

Bekaa Valley Red

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.

Washington Syrah

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.

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.

Languedoc red

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 herbal and green.

Bekaa Valley Red

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.

Washington Syrah

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.

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 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.

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.

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 less spicy.

Ribera del Duero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.