If you like this, try…

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.

← Back to Australian Grenache

Refine

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 moving away from too floral or soapy.

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.

Substantially less floral or soapy.

Grenache

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

Substantially less floral or soapy.

Mencía

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

Substantially less floral or soapy.

Bierzo Mencía

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

Substantially less floral or soapy.

Syrah

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Substantially less floral or soapy.

Jaen

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

Substantially less floral or soapy.

Malbec

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

Substantially less floral or soapy.

Rioja Crianza

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

Substantially less floral or soapy.

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.

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.

Mencía

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

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

Bierzo Mencía

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

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

Mencía

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

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

Bierzo Mencía

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

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

Jaen

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

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

Malbec

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

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

Cinsault

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

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

Beaujolais

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

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

Dornfelder

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

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

Cabernet Franc

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

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

Similar but lower in alcohol

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

Pinot Meunier

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

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

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

Gamay

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

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

Beaujolais

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

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

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

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Both are made from grenache.

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

Priorat

Both are made from grenache.

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

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 less floral, and riper and less green.

Alsace Pinot Gris

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

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

Chardonnay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Fiano

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

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Syrah

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 less floral, and less spicy.

Malbec

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

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

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 less floral, and less spicy.

Similar but fresher

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

Sonoma Coast 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 earthier, and more savoury.

Loire Cabernet Franc

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

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

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 earthier, and more savoury.

Red Burgundy

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

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

Similar but softer

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

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 leaner and more cutting.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

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

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Both are made from grenache.

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

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 both come from the same country.

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

Lambrusco

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

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 less floral, and stiller.

Franciacorta

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

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Dornfelder

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

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

Sparkling Shiraz

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

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

Valpolicella Ripasso

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.

Lambrusco

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

Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, 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.

Jaen

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

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

Dornfelder

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

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

Pinot Meunier

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

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

Cinsault

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

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Barossa Shiraz

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

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

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.

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.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Nebbiolo

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

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

Barolo

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

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

Barbaresco

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

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

Sauvignon Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more restrained

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

Pinot Grigio

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Pinot Blanc

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

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

Trebbiano d’Abruzzo

Trebbiano d’Abruzzo scores closest to Australian Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Vernaccia di San Gimignano

Vernaccia di San Gimignano scores closest to Australian Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Similar but more floral

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

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.

Malbec

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

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

Cabernet Franc

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

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

Gamay

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

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

Pinot Noir

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

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

Similar but less floral

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

Grenache

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

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

Syrah

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Mencía

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

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

Bierzo Mencía

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

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

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.

Cahors

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

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

Pinot Noir

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

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

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 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 less floral, and riper and less green.

Primitivo

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

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

Petite Sirah

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

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

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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.

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.

Southern Rhône blend

curated

The same variety in its Mediterranean home.

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

Syrah

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Rioja Crianza

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

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

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Rioja Crianza

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

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

Montsant

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

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

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Washington Syrah

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

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 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 both come from the same country.

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

Barossa Shiraz

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

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

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Both are made from grenache.

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

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.

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.

Southern Rhône blend

curated

The same variety in its Mediterranean home.

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

Syrah

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Malbec

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

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

Something more adventurous

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

Mencía

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

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

Bierzo Mencía

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

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

Jaen

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

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

Montsant

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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.

Mencía

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

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

Bierzo Mencía

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

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

Jaen

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

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

Montsant

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

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

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 both come from the same country.

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

Super Tuscan

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

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

Barossa Shiraz

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

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

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Both are made from grenache.

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

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.