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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 and the floral, perfumed side, 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.

Dão

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

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

Cru Beaujolais

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

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

Argentine Cabernet Franc

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

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

Nebbiolo

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

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

Barbaresco

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

Has noticeably less of the rich, ripe dark fruit.
Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
Substantially 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.
Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.

Petit Verdot

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

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

Hawke’s Bay Syrah

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

Has some of the rich, ripe dark fruit, though less of it.
Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
A little 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.

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.

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.

Argentine Cabernet Franc

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

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

Nebbiolo

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

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

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.

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.

Argentine Cabernet Franc

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

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

Nebbiolo

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

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

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 fruitier, and riper and less green.

Cabernet Franc

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

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

English still Pinot Noir

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

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

Pinot Noir

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

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

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 fruitier, and riper and less green.

English still Pinot Noir

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

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

Red Burgundy

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 fruitier, and more tannic and structured.

Argentine Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Douro red

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Touriga Nacional

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more 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.

Roussanne

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Fiano

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

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

Fiano di Avellino

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

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Nebbiolo

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

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

Barbaresco

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

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

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.

Petit Verdot

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

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

Similar but fresher

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

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 more savoury.

English still Pinot Noir

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

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

Etna Rosso

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.

Red Burgundy

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

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

Similar but softer

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

Argentine Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Malbec

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

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

Grenache

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

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

Southern Rhône blend

curated

The same variety in its Mediterranean home.

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

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 less floral.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Glera

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

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

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 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 more floral.

Dornfelder

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Lambrusco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 fruitier, and more fruit-driven.

Canaiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Schiava

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Négrette

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Argentine Cabernet Franc

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

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

Petit Verdot

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

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

Hawke’s Bay Syrah

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

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

Uco Valley Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more aromatic

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

Nebbiolo

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

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

Barbaresco

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

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.

Torrontés

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

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 more aromatic.

English still Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Etna Rosso

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.

Red Burgundy

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Négrette

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Frappato

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

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

Touriga Nacional

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

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

Similar but less floral

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

Cabernet Franc

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

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

English still Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more savoury

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

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.

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cabernet Franc

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

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

Barbaresco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Graciano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cru Beaujolais

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

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

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.

Hawke’s Bay Syrah

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

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

Grenache

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

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

Washington Syrah

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Southern Rhône blend

curated

The same variety in its Mediterranean home.

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

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Hawke’s Bay Syrah

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

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

Washington Syrah

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Rioja

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

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

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.

Super Tuscan

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

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.

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.

Nebbiolo

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

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

Barbaresco

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

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

Cabernet Franc

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

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

Something more adventurous

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

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.

Argentine Cabernet Franc

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

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

Petit Verdot

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

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

Hawke’s Bay Syrah

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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.

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.

Argentine Cabernet Franc

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

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

Petit Verdot

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

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

Hawke’s Bay Syrah

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

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

A step up

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

Argentine Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.

Super Tuscan

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

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

Priorat

Both are made from grenache.

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

Ribera del Duero

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

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

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.