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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.

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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.

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 floral, perfumed side, while moving away from too peppery and 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.

Barbaresco

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

Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less soft or too easy.

Naoussa Xinomavro

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less soft or too easy.

Dão

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

Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less soft or too easy.

Langhe Nebbiolo

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

Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less soft or too easy.

Xinomavro

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

Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less soft or too easy.

Graciano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less soft or too easy.

Nebbiolo

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

Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
About as peppery as the wine you started from.
Substantially less soft or too easy.

Barolo

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

Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
About as peppery as the wine you started from.
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.

Barbaresco

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

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

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 less floral.

Dão

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 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 less tannic and softer, 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.

Barbaresco

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

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

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 less floral.

Dão

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 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 less tannic and softer, 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 less floral.

Dão

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 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 less tannic and softer, and less spicy.

Xinomavro

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

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

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 less tannic and softer, and less spicy.

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Loire Cabernet Franc

Loire Cabernet Franc scores closest to Australian Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Cabernet Franc

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

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Petit Verdot

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

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

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Douro red

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Barbaresco

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

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

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 less floral.

Uco Valley Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Xinomavro

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

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Barbaresco

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

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

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 less floral.

Xinomavro

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

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

Nebbiolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and earthier.

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 less floral.

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 less spicy.

Xinomavro

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

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

Graciano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Argentine Malbec

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Barbaresco

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.

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

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

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Négrette

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

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

Jaen

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

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

Dornfelder

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

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Argentine Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Petit Verdot

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

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

Uco Valley Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more aromatic

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

Barbaresco

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

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

Nebbiolo

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

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

Barolo

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

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

Dão

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 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.

Naoussa Xinomavro

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

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

Xinomavro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Etna Rosso

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 less spicy.

Cahors

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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 less tannic and softer, and more floral.

Frappato

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

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

Similar but less floral

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

Naoussa Xinomavro

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 spicy.

Xinomavro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cahors

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Barbaresco

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

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

Dão

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 less spicy.

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 less floral.

Xinomavro

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

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

Similar but fruitier

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

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.

Petite Sirah

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

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

Graciano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Barbaresco

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

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

Nebbiolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and earthier.

Barolo

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

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

Cru Beaujolais

Both sit in the same style family.

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

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 less floral.

Dão

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 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 less tannic and softer, and less spicy.

Xinomavro

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, 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.

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 less floral.

Dão

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 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 less tannic and softer, and less spicy.

Xinomavro

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

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

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.

Argentine Malbec

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

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

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.