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.
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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.
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 peppery and too green or grassy.
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.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Cru Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Morgon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Bonarda
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Barbera d’Alba
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Dão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Barbera d’Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and softer and rounder.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Cru Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Morgon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, 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.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and softer and rounder.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Cru Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Morgon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, 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.
Cru Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Cinsault
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Pinot Meunier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Toro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
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 riper and less green, and spicier.
Alicante Bouschet
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Barossa Shiraz
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 riper and less green, and spicier.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Barbera d’Alba
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Marsanne
Marsanne scores closest to Australian Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less tannic and softer.
Fiano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Naoussa Xinomavro
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Dão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Tannat
Tannat scores closest to Australian Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Australian Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Barbera d’Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Barbera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Langhe Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
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 riper and less green, and less spicy.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and leaner and more cutting.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Montepulciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Australian Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
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 riper and less green, and less spicy.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Tinta Negra
Tinta Negra scores closest to Australian Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, 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.
Jaen
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Négrette
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Ciliegiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Graciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
Toro
Toro scores closest to Australian Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Australian Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Torrontés
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Pinot Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Pinot Grigio
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
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 riper and less green, and less spicy.
Négrette
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Frappato
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and softer and rounder.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Morgon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Bonarda
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Dão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, 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 riper and less green, and less spicy.
Cahors
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Zinfandel
Zinfandel scores closest to Australian Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and riper and less green.
Petite Sirah
Petite Sirah scores closest to Australian Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, 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.
Rioja Crianza
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 riper and less green, and spicier.
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 spicy, and more herbal and green.
Rioja
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 riper and less green, and spicier.
Rioja Reserva
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 riper and less green, and spicier.
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.
Rioja Crianza
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 riper and less green, and spicier.
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 spicy, and more herbal and green.
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 spicy, and more herbal and green.
Rioja
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 riper and less green, and spicier.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
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 riper and less green, and spicier.
Shiraz
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 riper and less green, and spicier.
Barossa Shiraz
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 riper and less green, and spicier.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
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.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and softer and rounder.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Cru Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Barbera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
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.
Morgon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Bonarda
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Barbera d’Alba
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Dão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, 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.
Morgon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Bonarda
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Barbera d’Alba
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Dão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, 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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Barossa Shiraz
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 riper and less green, and spicier.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Priorat
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
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.