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Wines like Barossa Shiraz

Dense, chocolatey, high-alcohol Shiraz from some of the oldest producing vines on earth. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

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What do you like about Barossa Shiraz?

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 How full and weighty it is The firm, grippy structure The vanilla and oak

But it’s a bit…

too jammy or sweet-tasting too heavy too drying or too tannic too oaky or woody too peppery too austere

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 full and weighty it is: Body is how much the wine seems to fill your mouth — the difference between skimmed and whole milk. It comes mostly from alcohol and ripeness.
The firm, grippy structure: High tannin — the drying grip on your gums, like over-brewed tea. It gives a red something to hold on to with rich food, and it is what lets a wine age.
The vanilla and oak: Vanilla, toast, coconut, sweet spice, sometimes smoke. It comes from the barrel rather than the grape, which is why the same grape can taste completely different with and without it.
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.
That it is properly dry: No perceptible sugar at all. Almost all red wine is dry and a good deal of white wine is not, which is why this is a more useful thing to say about a white than about a red.

Looking for something moving away from too jammy or sweet-tasting, too oaky or woody and too heavy.

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.

Jumilla Monastrell

curated

Comparable density and warmth at a much lower price.

Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
A little less oaky or woody.
A little less heavy.

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from shiraz, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less heavy.

Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends

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

Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less heavy.

Mourvèdre

Both are made from mourvèdre, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
A little less oaky or woody.
Substantially less heavy.

Bairrada Baga

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

Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less heavy.

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione

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

Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less heavy.

Cahors

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

Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less heavy.

Barbaresco

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

Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less heavy.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Jumilla Monastrell

curated

Comparable density and warmth at a much lower price.

Expect: Earthier and more gamey, with less oak.

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from shiraz, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.

Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends

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 fresher.

Mourvèdre

Both are made from mourvèdre, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends

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 fresher.

Bairrada Baga

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

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

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione

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

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

Cahors

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 restrained in fruit.

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.

Baga

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

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

Bairrada Baga

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

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

Barbaresco

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

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

Brunello di Montalcino

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

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

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.

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from shiraz, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.

Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends

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 fresher.

Mourvèdre

Both are made from mourvèdre, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Bairrada Baga

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

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

Similar but less tannic

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

Barbera d’Asti

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

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.

Barbera

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.

Barbera d’Alba

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Bairrada Baga

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

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

Barbaresco

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

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

Baga

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

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

Brunello di Montalcino

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

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

Similar but fresher

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

Baga

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

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

Bairrada Baga

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

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

Barbaresco

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

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

Brunello di Montalcino

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

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

Similar but softer

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

Marsanne

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

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

Jumilla Monastrell

curated

Comparable density and warmth at a much lower price.

Expect: Earthier and more gamey, with less oak.

Mourvèdre

Both are made from mourvèdre, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Carmenère

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fresher and more acidic.

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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.

Lambrusco

Lambrusco scores closest to Barossa Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Barossa Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.

Franciacorta

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.

Similar but sweeter

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

Saperavi

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 spicier.

Touriga Franca

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

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.

Corvina

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

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and spicier.

Valpolicella Ripasso

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.

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.

Cahors

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 restrained in fruit.

Northern Rhône Syrah

curated

The same grape at the opposite end of the climate spectrum.

Expect: Black pepper, olive and cured meat, at moderate alcohol and with far less oak.

Negroamaro

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

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

Montsant

Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

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.

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from shiraz, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.

Jumilla Monastrell

curated

Comparable density and warmth at a much lower price.

Expect: Earthier and more gamey, with less oak.

Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends

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 fresher.

Mourvèdre

Both are made from mourvèdre, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

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, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Barolo

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

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

Nebbiolo

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

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

Syrah

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and earthier.

Similar but more restrained

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

Franken Silvaner

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.

Sémillon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Trebbiano d’Abruzzo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from shiraz, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.

Similar but more floral

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

Barbaresco

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

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

Barolo

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

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

Nebbiolo

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

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

Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and spicier.

Similar but more savoury

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

Bairrada Baga

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

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

Barbaresco

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

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

Cahors

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

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

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione

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

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from shiraz, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.

Australian Grenache

Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less oaky.

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.

Montsant

Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.

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.

Jumilla Monastrell

curated

Comparable density and warmth at a much lower price.

Expect: Earthier and more gamey, with less oak.

Mourvèdre

Both are made from mourvèdre, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Montsant

Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.

Rioja Crianza

Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and spicier.

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from shiraz, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.

Montsant

Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.

Rioja Crianza

Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and spicier.

Bekaa Valley Red

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and earthier.

Same grape, warmer climate

Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.

Jumilla Monastrell

curated

Comparable density and warmth at a much lower price.

Expect: Earthier and more gamey, with less oak.

Mourvèdre

Both are made from mourvèdre, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

curated

A neighbouring South Australian region with maritime cooling.

Expect: Slightly fresher and more red-fruited, often with a salted-chocolate edge.

Languedoc red

Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, 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.

Barbaresco

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

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

Red Bordeaux

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

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

Chianti Classico

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

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

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.

Something more adventurous

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

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from shiraz, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.

Jumilla Monastrell

curated

Comparable density and warmth at a much lower price.

Expect: Earthier and more gamey, with less oak.

Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends

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 fresher.

Mourvèdre

Both are made from mourvèdre, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

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.

Jumilla Monastrell

curated

Comparable density and warmth at a much lower price.

Expect: Earthier and more gamey, with less oak.

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from shiraz, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.

Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends

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 fresher.

Mourvèdre

Both are made from mourvèdre, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

A step up

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

Priorat

Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Barbaresco

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

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

Red Bordeaux

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

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

Chianti Classico

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

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

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.