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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.
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 moving away from too soft or too easy, too peppery and 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.
Naoussa Xinomavro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less soft or too easy.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Xinomavro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less soft or too easy.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less soft or too easy.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Madiran
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less soft or too easy.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Baga
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less soft or too easy.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Bairrada Baga
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less soft or too easy.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less soft or too easy.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less soft or too easy.
- Substantially less peppery.
- 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.
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 less spicy, and more savoury.
Xinomavro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.
Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
Madiran
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
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 less spicy, and more savoury.
Xinomavro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.
Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
Madiran
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
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.
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 less spicy, and more savoury.
Dolcetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less tannic and softer.
Xinomavro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.
Fer Servadou
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less tannic and softer.
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.
Fer Servadou
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less tannic and softer.
Loire Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Toro
Toro scores closest to Australian Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.
Priorat
Both are made from grenache.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.
Alicante Bouschet
Alicante Bouschet scores closest to Australian Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less tannic and softer.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Australian Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less tannic and softer.
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 tannic and softer, and less floral.
Toro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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 less spicy, and more savoury.
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 tannic and softer, and less floral.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Baga
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
Bairrada Baga
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
Madiran
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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.
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 less spicy, and more savoury.
Xinomavro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.
Baga
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
Bairrada Baga
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Toro
Toro scores closest to Australian Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.
Alicante Bouschet
Alicante Bouschet scores closest to Australian Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less tannic and softer.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Australian Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less tannic and softer.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
Both are made from shiraz, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.
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.
Sparkling Shiraz
Both are made from shiraz, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less floral.
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.
Naoussa Xinomavro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and less spicy.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
Tinto Cão
Tinto Cão scores closest to Australian Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less tannic and softer.
Dornfelder
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
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.
Bobal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less tannic and softer.
Fer Servadou
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less tannic and softer.
Refosco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less tannic and softer.
Colorino
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.
Toro
Toro scores closest to Australian Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Australian Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less tannic and softer.
Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less spicy.
Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and spicier.
Barolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and spicier.
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 less spicy, and more savoury.
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.
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 less spicy, and more savoury.
Xinomavro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.
Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
Madiran
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
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 less tannic and softer.
Touriga Nacional
Touriga Nacional scores closest to Australian Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Négrette
Négrette scores closest to Australian Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less tannic and softer.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less spicy.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
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 less spicy, and more savoury.
Xinomavro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.
Tannat
Tannat scores closest to Australian Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
Madiran
Madiran scores closest to Australian Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
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 less spicy, and more savoury.
Xinomavro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.
Baga
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
Bairrada Baga
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Petite Sirah
Petite Sirah scores closest to Australian Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and less floral.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
California Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Australian Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less floral.
Primitivo
Primitivo scores closest to Australian Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less floral.
Primitivo di Manduria
Primitivo di Manduria scores closest to Australian Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and less floral.
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.
Priorat
Both are made from grenache.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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, 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.
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 less floral, and less tannic and softer.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
Both are made from shiraz, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Barossa Shiraz
Both are made from shiraz, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Australian Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less tannic and softer.
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.
Chianti Classico
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less tannic and softer.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more floral.
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Australian Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less tannic and softer.
Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less tannic and softer.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
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 less spicy, and more savoury.
Xinomavro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.
Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
Madiran
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
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 less spicy, and more savoury.
Xinomavro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.
Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
Madiran
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
Priorat
Both are made from grenache.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Shiraz
Both are made from shiraz, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less tannic and softer.
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.
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.