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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 rich, ripe dark fruit, while moving away from too jammy or sweet-tasting.

You said you like the rich, ripe dark fruit and that it is too jammy or sweet-tasting. Both are about fruit intensity, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
You said you like the rich, ripe dark fruit and that it is too jammy or sweet-tasting. Both are about savoury character, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.

Based on what you said

Ranked against the qualities you named rather than against the wine as a whole. The directions below are refined the same way.

Southern Rhône blend

curated

The same variety in its Mediterranean home.

Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.

Cabernet Franc

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

Has some of the rich, ripe dark fruit, though less of it.
Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.

Rioja

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

Has noticeably less of the rich, ripe dark fruit.
Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.

Rioja Reserva

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

Has noticeably less of the rich, ripe dark fruit.
Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.

Tibouren

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

Has some of the rich, ripe dark fruit, though less of it.
Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.

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.

Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.

Montsant

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

Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.

País

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

Has some of the rich, ripe dark fruit, though less of it.
Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.

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.

Cabernet Franc

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

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

Rioja

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 savoury, and less floral.

Rioja Reserva

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 savoury, and more oaky.

Different grape, similar feel

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

Cabernet Franc

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

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

Tibouren

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

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

País

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

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

Dão

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 riper and less green.

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.

Tibouren

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

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

Cabernet Franc

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

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

País

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

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

English still Pinot Noir

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

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

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.

English still Pinot Noir

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

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

Red Burgundy

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

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

Cabernet Franc

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

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

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 fruitier, and riper and less green.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Priorat

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

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

Super Tuscan

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

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

Petit Verdot

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

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Marsanne

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

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

Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and riper and less green.

Douro white

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

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Rioja

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 savoury, and less floral.

Rioja Reserva

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 savoury, and more oaky.

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 fruitier, and less floral.

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fresher

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

Chianti

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 floral.

Chianti Classico

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 floral.

English still Pinot Noir

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

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

Etna Rosso

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 earthier.

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.

Mourvèdre

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

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

Grenache

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

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

Alentejo red

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

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

The sparkling version

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

Lambrusco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Sparkling Shiraz

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

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Crémant

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

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.

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 fruitier, and less floral.

Tinto Cão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Corvina

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

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

Rondinella

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

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

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.

Tibouren

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

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

País

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

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

Poulsard

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

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

Canaiolo

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

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Rioja

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 savoury, and less floral.

Rioja Reserva

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 savoury, and less floral.

Tempranillo

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

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

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 savoury, and more aromatic.

Barbaresco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cabernet Franc

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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.

Trebbiano d’Abruzzo

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

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

Vernaccia di San Gimignano

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

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

Silvaner

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

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

Sémillon

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

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

Similar but more floral

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

Uco Valley Malbec

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

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

Négrette

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Frappato

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Touriga Nacional

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.

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

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 savoury, and less floral.

Tibouren

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

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

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.

Cabernet Franc

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

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

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 savoury, and more oaky.

Similar but fruitier

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

Zinfandel

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

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

Primitivo

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

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

Petite Sirah

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

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

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Change the place

Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.

Same grape, somewhere else

Holds the variety constant and changes the place, which is often a bigger change than swapping the grape.

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

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

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 fruitier, and less floral.

Same grape, cooler climate

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

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.

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 softer and rounder.

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 savoury, and more oaky.

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 fruitier, and softer and rounder.

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 fruitier, and softer and rounder.

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 more oaky.

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 more oaky.

Super Tuscan

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Cabernet Franc

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

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

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

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

Something more adventurous

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

Tibouren

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

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

País

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

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

Mourvèdre

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

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

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.

Tibouren

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

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

País

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

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

Mourvèdre

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

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

A step up

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

Super Tuscan

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

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

Priorat

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

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

Ribera del Duero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Shiraz

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

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

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.