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Wines like Australian Grenache

Old bush-vine Grenache from McLaren Vale and the Barossa — perfumed, medium-bodied and transformed from its jammy past. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

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What do you like about Australian Grenache?

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 rich dark fruit The floral character

But it’s a bit…

too jammy or sweet-tasting too soft or too easy too plain or too simple too floral or soapy too green or grassy too peppery

What these words mean

The rich dark fruit: Blackberry, plum, black cherry — fruit that tastes ripe and generous rather than tart. It comes from warm-climate ripening and it is what most people mean when they call a red "fruity".
How smooth and soft it is: Low tannin. Tannin is the drying, gum-gripping sensation in red wine — like strong tea. A smooth red has little of it.
That it is not oaky: No barrel character — just the fruit and the acidity. Chablis and Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc are the reference points.
The floral character: Rose, violet, elderflower, orange blossom.
The herbal, green side: Grass, blackcurrant leaf, green pepper, mint. It divides people more sharply than almost any other character.
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.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Southern Rhône blend

curated

The same variety in its Mediterranean home.

Expect: More herbal garrigue character and a touch more earth.

Rioja Crianza

Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.

Montsant

Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

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

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from shiraz, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

Valpolicella Ripasso

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.

Nero d’Avola

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.

New Zealand Pinot Noir

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more savoury.

Chilean Carmenère

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more savoury.

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.

Cru Beaujolais

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.

Dolcetto

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.

Trousseau

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.

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.

Cru Beaujolais

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.

Loire Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Gamay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

Both are made from shiraz, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.

Barossa Shiraz

Both are made from shiraz, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less floral.

Argentine Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and less floral.

Similar but less tannic

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

Barbera d’Alba

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.

Southern Rhône blend

curated

The same variety in its Mediterranean home.

Expect: More herbal garrigue character and a touch more earth.

Rioja Crianza

Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

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

Barbera d’Asti

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Montsant

Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

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

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from shiraz, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

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

Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends

Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and less floral.

Languedoc red

Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more savoury.

Similar but fresher

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

Rosso di Montalcino

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more savoury.

Barbera d’Asti

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.

Chianti

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more savoury.

Barbera

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.

Similar but softer

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

Southern Rhône blend

curated

The same variety in its Mediterranean home.

Expect: More herbal garrigue character and a touch more earth.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

Both are made from shiraz, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.

Barossa Shiraz

Both are made from shiraz, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less floral.

Argentine Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.

The sparkling version

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

Sparkling Shiraz

Both are made from shiraz, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less floral.

Lambrusco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and riper and less green.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and sweeter.

Southern Rhône blend

curated

The same variety in its Mediterranean home.

Expect: More herbal garrigue character and a touch more earth.

Similar but sweeter

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

Valpolicella Ripasso

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.

Sparkling Shiraz

Both are made from shiraz, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and sweeter.

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and riper and less green.

Corvina

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.

Change the flavour

Same shape, different aromatic character.

Similar but less oaky

One of the commonest requests in wine. Strips oak influence while holding grape character and weight.

Trincadeira

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.

Jaen

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.

Prokupac

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.

Négrette

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Barossa Shiraz

Both are made from shiraz, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.

Rioja

Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more savoury.

Rioja Reserva

Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more savoury.

Rioja Gran Reserva

Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and earthier.

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 more tannic and structured.

Barolo

Barolo scores closest to Australian Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more aromatic.

Barbaresco

Barbaresco scores closest to Australian Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Southern Rhône blend

curated

The same variety in its Mediterranean home.

Expect: More herbal garrigue character and a touch more earth.

Similar but more restrained

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

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.

Southern Rhône blend

curated

The same variety in its Mediterranean home.

Expect: More herbal garrigue character and a touch more earth.

Rioja Crianza

Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

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

Montsant

Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

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

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from shiraz, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

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

Similar but more floral

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

Uco Valley Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.

Négrette

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Frappato

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and leaner and more cutting.

Similar but less floral

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

Southern Rhône blend

curated

The same variety in its Mediterranean home.

Expect: More herbal garrigue character and a touch more earth.

Rioja Crianza

Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.

Montsant

Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

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

Grenache

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

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less floral.

Similar but more savoury

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

Southern Rhône blend

curated

The same variety in its Mediterranean home.

Expect: More herbal garrigue character and a touch more earth.

Rioja

Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less floral.

Rioja Reserva

Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.

Rioja Gran Reserva

Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more oaky.

Similar but fruitier

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

Zinfandel

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.

Primitivo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.

Petite Sirah

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

California Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.

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.

Southern Rhône blend

curated

The same variety in its Mediterranean home.

Expect: More herbal garrigue character and a touch more earth.

Rioja Crianza

Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.

Montsant

Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

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

Grenache

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and softer and rounder.

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Rioja Crianza

Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less floral.

Montsant

Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less floral.

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from shiraz, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less floral.

Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends

Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and softer and rounder.

Same grape, warmer climate

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

Both are made from shiraz, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.

Shiraz

Both are made from shiraz, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less floral.

Barossa Shiraz

Both are made from shiraz, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less floral.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and less floral.

Change the mood

Safer, stranger, cheaper or more serious.

A safe next step

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

Southern Rhône blend

curated

The same variety in its Mediterranean home.

Expect: More herbal garrigue character and a touch more earth.

Rioja Crianza

Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.

Grenache

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and softer and rounder.

Rioja

Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.

Something more adventurous

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

Montsant

Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

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

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from shiraz, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

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

Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends

Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and less floral.

Languedoc red

Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more savoury.

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.

Montsant

Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

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

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from shiraz, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

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

Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends

Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and less floral.

Languedoc red

Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more savoury.

A step up

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

Shiraz

Both are made from shiraz, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less floral.

Barossa Shiraz

Both are made from shiraz, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less floral.

Argentine Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and riper and less green.

Super Tuscan

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less floral.

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.