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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

Clear all

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.

Looking for something keeping the floral, perfumed side, while moving away from too jammy or sweet-tasting, too peppery and too soft or too easy.

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.

Barbaresco

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

Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less soft or too easy.

Dão

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

Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less soft or too easy.

Naoussa Xinomavro

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

Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less soft or too easy.

Nebbiolo

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

Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
About as peppery as the wine you started from.
Substantially less soft or too easy.

Xinomavro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less soft or too easy.

Etna Rosso

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

Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less soft or too easy.

Barolo

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

Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
About as peppery as the wine you started from.
Substantially less soft or too easy.

Cahors

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less soft or too easy.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Barbaresco

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

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

Dão

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

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

Naoussa Xinomavro

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

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

Nebbiolo

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

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

Barbaresco

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

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

Dão

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

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

Naoussa Xinomavro

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

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

Nebbiolo

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

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

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.

Dão

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

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

Naoussa Xinomavro

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

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

Cru Beaujolais

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

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

Xinomavro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, 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.

Cru Beaujolais

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

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

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Loire Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

English still Pinot Noir

English still Pinot Noir scores closest to Australian Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Petit Verdot

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.

Douro red

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Priorat

Both are made from grenache.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Similar but less tannic

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

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.

Barbaresco

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

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

Dão

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

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

Naoussa Xinomavro

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

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

Xinomavro

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

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Barbaresco

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

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

Naoussa Xinomavro

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

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

Xinomavro

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

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

Nebbiolo

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

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

Similar but fresher

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

Naoussa Xinomavro

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

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

Xinomavro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Etna Rosso

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

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

Barbaresco

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

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

Similar but softer

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

Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Mourvèdre

Both are made from mourvèdre.

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

Toro

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

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

Tempranillo

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

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

The sparkling version

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

Lambrusco

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

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Sparkling Shiraz

Both are made from shiraz, and both come from the same country.

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

Barbaresco

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

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Tinto Cão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

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.

Graciano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Canaiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Colorino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Tinto Cão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Argentine Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Petit Verdot

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Uco Valley Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more aromatic

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

Barbaresco

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

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

Nebbiolo

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

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

Barolo

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

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

Dão

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

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

Similar but more restrained

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

Naoussa Xinomavro

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

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

Xinomavro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Etna Rosso

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

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

Cahors

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 more floral, and less tannic and softer.

Négrette

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

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

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more floral.

Frappato

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

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

Similar but less floral

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

Naoussa Xinomavro

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

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

Xinomavro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Etna Rosso

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

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

Cahors

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Barbaresco

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

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

Dão

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

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

Nebbiolo

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

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

Naoussa Xinomavro

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

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

Similar but fruitier

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

California Cabernet Sauvignon

California Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Australian Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Graciano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barbaresco

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

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

Langhe Nebbiolo

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

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

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.

Montsant

Both are made from grenache, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Rioja

Both are made from grenache, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Rioja Reserva

Both are made from grenache, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Mourvèdre

Both are made from mourvèdre.

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

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from shiraz, and both come from the same country.

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

Montsant

Both are made from grenache, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Rioja

Both are made from grenache, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Rioja Reserva

Both are made from grenache, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Shiraz

Both are made from shiraz, and both come from the same country.

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

Both are made from shiraz, and both come from the same country.

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

Barossa Shiraz

Both are made from shiraz, and both come from the same country.

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

Priorat

Both are made from grenache.

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

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.

Barbaresco

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

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

Nebbiolo

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

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

Barolo

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

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

Cru Beaujolais

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

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

Something more adventurous

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

Dão

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

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

Naoussa Xinomavro

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

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

Xinomavro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Etna Rosso

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

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

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.

Dão

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

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

Naoussa Xinomavro

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

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

Xinomavro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Etna Rosso

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

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

A step up

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

Priorat

Both are made from grenache.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Super Tuscan

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

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

Ribera del Duero

Ribera del Duero scores closest to Australian Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Shiraz

Both are made from shiraz, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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.