If you like this, try…

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.

← Back to Barossa Shiraz

Refine

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 heavy, too jammy or sweet-tasting and too drying or too tannic.

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.

Carmenère

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

Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Chilean Carmenère

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

Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Rioja Crianza

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

Substantially less heavy.
A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Southern Rhône blend

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

Substantially less heavy.
A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Australian Pinot Noir

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

Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Jumilla Monastrell

curated

Comparable density and warmth at a much lower price.

A little less heavy.
Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
About as drying or too tannic as the wine you started from.

Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir

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

Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Carmenère

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

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and leaner and more cutting.

Chilean Carmenère

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

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and leaner and more cutting.

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

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

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 fresher and more acidic.

Different grape, similar feel

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

Carmenère

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

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and leaner and more cutting.

Chilean Carmenère

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

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and leaner and more cutting.

Australian Pinot Noir

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

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

Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

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.

Carmenère

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

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and leaner and more cutting.

Chilean Carmenère

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

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and leaner and more cutting.

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.

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 fresher and more acidic.

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.

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

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

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 fresher and more acidic.

Carmenère

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

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and leaner and more cutting.

Chilean Carmenère

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

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and leaner and more cutting.

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 less tannic and softer, and more fruit-driven.

Barbera

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Argentine Malbec

curated

A comparably full, dark, generous warm-climate red.

Expect: More floral and violet-scented, and usually less oaky.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Brunello di Montalcino

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more savoury.

Bairrada Baga

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Taurasi

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Barbaresco

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Similar but fresher

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

Australian Pinot Noir

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

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

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 leaner and more cutting.

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

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

Oregon Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

Similar but softer

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

Marsanne

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Carmenère

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more herbal and green.

Chilean Carmenère

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more herbal and green.

Southern Rhône blend

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 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

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Australian traditional-method sparkling

Both come from the same country.

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Tawny Port

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

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

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Corvina

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

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

Valpolicella Ripasso

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

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

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.

Australian Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

Southern Rhône blend

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 more herbal and green.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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

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

Valpolicella Ripasso

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

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

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.

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

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

Rioja

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

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

Rioja Reserva

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

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

Tempranillo

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

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

Similar but more aromatic

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

Pinot Noir

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

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

Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Syrah

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and earthier.

Morgon

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

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

Similar but more restrained

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

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

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

Carmenère

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

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more herbal and green.

Chilean Carmenère

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

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more herbal and green.

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 more aromatic.

Similar but more floral

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

Pinot Noir

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

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

Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Oregon Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

Similar but more savoury

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

Jumilla Monastrell

curated

Comparable density and warmth at a much lower price.

Expect: Earthier and more gamey, with less oak.

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.

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

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

Australian Pinot Noir

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

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

Similar but fruitier

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

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.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Southern Rhône blend

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 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 Gran Reserva

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

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

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 fresher and more acidic.

Southern Rhône blend

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 less oaky.

Grenache

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

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

Same grape, cooler climate

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

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 leaner and more cutting.

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

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

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.

Rioja

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

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

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Southern Rhône blend

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 less oaky.

California Rhône blend

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 fruitier, and stronger and warmer.

Grenache

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

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

Jumilla Monastrell

curated

Comparable density and warmth at a much lower price.

Expect: Earthier and more gamey, with less oak.

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.

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

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

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 fresher and more acidic.

Southern Rhône blend

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 less oaky.

Merlot

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

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

Something more adventurous

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

Carmenère

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

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and leaner and more cutting.

Chilean Carmenère

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

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and leaner and more cutting.

Australian Pinot Noir

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

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

Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

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.

Carmenère

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

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and leaner and more cutting.

Chilean Carmenère

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

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and leaner and more cutting.

Jumilla Monastrell

curated

Comparable density and warmth at a much lower price.

Expect: Earthier and more gamey, with less oak.

Australian Pinot Noir

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

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

A step up

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

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

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

Oregon Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Red Burgundy

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.