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.
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.
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 floral or soapy.
- You said you like the floral, perfumed side and that it is too floral or soapy. Both are about floral 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.
Mencía
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Bierzo Mencía
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Jaen
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Grenache
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of the floral, perfumed side.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Washington Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Dornfelder
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- 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.
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.
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.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and riper and less green.
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.
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.
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.
Fiano di Avellino
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.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more aromatic.
Washington Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more savoury.
Naoussa Xinomavro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more savoury.
Cahors
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more savoury.
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.
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.
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.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and riper and less green.
Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more savoury.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Lambrusco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and riper and less green.
Sparkling Shiraz
Both are made from shiraz, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Australian Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stiller.
Mencía
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and less spicy.
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.
Lambrusco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and riper and less green.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and sweeter.
Sparkling Shiraz
Both are made from shiraz, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more sparkling.
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.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Washington Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and less oaky.
Northern Rhône Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and earthier.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less oaky.
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.
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.
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.
Mencía
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less spicy.
Bierzo Mencía
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less spicy.
Jaen
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Uco Valley Malbec
Uco Valley Malbec scores closest to Australian Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and riper and less green.
Négrette
Négrette scores closest to Australian Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and riper and less green.
Touriga Nacional
Touriga Nacional scores closest to Australian Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and sweeter.
Frappato
Frappato scores closest to Australian Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter.
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.
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.
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.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
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.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter.
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.
Washington Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more savoury.
Northern Rhône Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and earthier.
Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more savoury.
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.
Washington Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and softer and rounder.
Northern Rhône Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and earthier.
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 more floral, and softer and rounder.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Washington Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, 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.
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.
Washington Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, 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 more floral, and fuller and richer.
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.
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.