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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.
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 plain or too simple 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.
Shiraz
Both are made from shiraz, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Barossa Shiraz
Both are made from shiraz, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Rioja Crianza
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- 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.
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 fruitier.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
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 fruitier.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
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.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less oaky.
Egri Bikavér
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Barbera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
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.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Red Burgundy
Red Burgundy scores closest to Australian Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less oaky.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
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 fruitier.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
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 less oaky, and riper and less green.
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 fruitier.
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 less oaky, and riper and less green.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Tawny Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and riper and less green.
Chilean Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
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 fruitier.
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 fruitier.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Petit Verdot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
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 less oaky, and riper and less green.
Barbera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
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 more savoury, and less oaky.
Oregon Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less oaky.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
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 fruitier.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
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 less oaky, and riper and less green.
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 fruitier.
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 less oaky, and riper and less green.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Australian Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Australian Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
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 stiller, and riper and less green.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
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 less oaky, and riper and less green.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
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
Jaen scores closest to Australian Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Dornfelder
Dornfelder scores closest to Australian Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Négrette
Négrette scores closest to Australian Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Ciliegiolo
Ciliegiolo scores closest to Australian Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Barossa Shiraz
Both are made from shiraz, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Shiraz
Both are made from shiraz, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo scores closest to Australian Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less oaky.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Australian Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less oaky.
Barolo
Barolo scores closest to Australian Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less oaky.
Uco Valley Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
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 fruitier.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
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 fruitier.
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 less oaky, and riper and less green.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Négrette
Négrette scores closest to Australian Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Frappato
Frappato scores closest to Australian Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
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 fruitier.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Rioja
Both are made from grenache, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Rioja Reserva
Both are made from grenache, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and riper and less green.
Tempranillo
Tempranillo scores closest to Australian Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Petite Sirah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Change the place
Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.
Same grape, somewhere else
Holds the variety constant and changes the place, which is often a bigger change than swapping the grape.
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 less oaky, and riper and less 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 more savoury, and riper and less green.
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 more savoury, and riper and less green.
Super Tuscan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more herbal and green.
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 less oaky, and riper and less 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 more savoury, and riper and less green.
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 more savoury, and riper and less green.
Hawke’s Bay Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less oaky.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
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 fruitier, and riper and less green.
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 fruitier, and riper and less green.
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 fruitier, and less oaky.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
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.
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 fruitier.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
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 fruitier.
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 less oaky, and riper and less green.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Alicante Bouschet
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
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.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Alicante Bouschet
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
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 more savoury.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fruitier.
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 more savoury.
Ribera del Duero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and riper and less green.
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.