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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 floral, perfumed side, while moving away from too plain or too simple.
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.
Hawke’s Bay Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Douro red
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Hawke’s Bay Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more savoury.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more tannic and structured.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more tannic and structured.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and sweeter.
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 less oaky, and less floral.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
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 less oaky, 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.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
Cru Beaujolais
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more tannic and structured.
Douro red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and earthier.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Barbera d’Alba
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more tannic and structured.
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 oaky, and more tannic and structured.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more tannic and structured.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more tannic and structured.
Hawke’s Bay Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more savoury.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more tannic and structured.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
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 less oaky, and less floral.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
Oregon Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
Naoussa Xinomavro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
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 less floral, and broader and softer.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
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 floral, and less oaky.
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 stiller, and less oaky.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and less oaky.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and less oaky.
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 oaky, and sweeter.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
Tawny Port
Tawny Port scores closest to Australian Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
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.
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.
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 oaky, and more savoury.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Petit Verdot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more tannic and structured.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
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 less floral, and broader and softer.
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 oaky, and more savoury.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
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 less oaky, and more aromatic.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more savoury.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Hawke’s Bay Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Nothing in WineHQ's catalogue makes this move meaningfully from here. These are the closest wines otherwise, but do not expect them to deliver what you asked for — the honest answer is that this style does not have a good neighbour in that direction.
Hawke’s Bay Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Petit Verdot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
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 oaky.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less oaky.
Négrette
Négrette scores closest to Australian Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more tannic and structured.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
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 less floral, and less oaky.
Washington Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Northern Rhône Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more tannic and structured.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more tannic and structured.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more savoury.
Douro red
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more savoury.
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 less floral, and broader and softer.
Zinfandel
Zinfandel scores closest to Australian Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Petite Sirah
Petite Sirah scores closest to Australian Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Primitivo
Primitivo scores closest to Australian Grenache across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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.
Hawke’s Bay Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more savoury.
Washington Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
Northern Rhône Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
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 less floral, and more savoury.
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.
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 oaky, and softer and rounder.
Washington Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
Northern Rhône Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
Rioja
Both are made from grenache, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and softer and rounder.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
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 floral, and riper and less green.
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 less floral, and broader and softer.
Bolgheri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
Both are made from shiraz, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more tannic and structured.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more savoury.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more tannic and structured.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Hawke’s Bay Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more savoury.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more tannic and structured.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and sweeter.
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.
Hawke’s Bay Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more savoury.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more tannic and structured.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and sweeter.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fuller and richer.
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 floral, and fuller and richer.
Barossa Shiraz
Both are made from shiraz, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Super Tuscan
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
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.