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 keeping the rich, ripe dark fruit, while moving away from too soft or too easy.

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.

Graciano

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

Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
Substantially less soft or too easy.

Fer Servadou

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

Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
Substantially less soft or too easy.

Petite Sirah

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

Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
Substantially less soft or too easy.

Mondeuse Noire

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

Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
Substantially less soft or too easy.

Tannat

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

Has some of the rich, ripe dark fruit, though less of it.
Substantially less soft or too easy.

Madiran

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

Has some of the rich, ripe dark fruit, though less of it.
Substantially less soft or too easy.

Petit Verdot

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

Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
Substantially less soft or too easy.

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

Has some of the rich, ripe dark fruit, though less of it.
Substantially less soft or too easy.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.

Graciano

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

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

Fer Servadou

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

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

Petite Sirah

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Mondeuse Noire

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

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

Graciano

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

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

Fer Servadou

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

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

Petite Sirah

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Mondeuse Noire

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

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

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.

Fer Servadou

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

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

Mondeuse Noire

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

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

Dolcetto

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more savoury.

Colorino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

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.

Mondeuse Noire

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

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

Fer Servadou

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

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

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more sparkling.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Petite Sirah

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.

Petit Verdot

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more savoury.

Priorat

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more savoury.

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.

Similar but less tannic

For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.

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.

Petite Sirah

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Petit Verdot

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more savoury.

Priorat

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, 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 rounder and creamier in texture.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Madiran

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

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

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

Petit Verdot

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more savoury.

Petite Sirah

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Similar but fresher

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

Graciano

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

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

Mondeuse Noire

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

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

Rosso di Montalcino

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more savoury.

Langhe Nebbiolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more savoury.

Similar but softer

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

Toro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.

Alicante Bouschet

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 tannic and softer.

Barossa 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 tannic and softer.

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 tannic and softer, and fruitier.

Lambrusco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Graciano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Sagrantino

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

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

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

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

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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

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

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

Fer Servadou

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

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

Mondeuse Noire

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

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

Bobal

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more savoury.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Petite Sirah

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Petit Verdot

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more savoury.

Super Tuscan

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Priorat

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more savoury.

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 restrained in fruit.

Barbaresco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.

Barolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Similar but more restrained

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

Fer Servadou

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more aromatic.

Petite Sirah

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Mondeuse Noire

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more aromatic.

Tannat

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

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

Similar but more floral

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

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Uco Valley Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Négrette

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Frappato

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and leaner and more cutting.

Similar but less floral

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

Fer Servadou

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

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

Petite Sirah

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Mondeuse Noire

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

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

Tannat

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

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Tannat

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Madiran

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.

Similar but fruitier

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

Petite Sirah

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Primitivo di Manduria

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Zinfandel

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

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

Primitivo

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

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

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

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

Super Tuscan

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends

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 tannic and softer, and more savoury.

Priorat

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more savoury.

Same grape, cooler climate

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

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 rounder and creamier in texture.

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 tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends

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 tannic and softer, and more savoury.

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 less tannic and softer, 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 tannic and softer.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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 fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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.

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more savoury.

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.

Barbaresco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.

Super Tuscan

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Something more adventurous

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

Graciano

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

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

Fer Servadou

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

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

Petite Sirah

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Mondeuse Noire

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

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

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.

Graciano

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

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

Fer Servadou

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

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

Petite Sirah

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Mondeuse Noire

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

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

A step up

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

Super Tuscan

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more savoury.

Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more savoury.

Priorat

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Ribera del Duero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less tannic and softer.

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.