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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 keeping the rich, ripe dark fruit, while moving away from too heavy 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.

Argentine Malbec

curated

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

Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
A little less heavy.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

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.

Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
A little less heavy.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

California Pinot Noir

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

Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Barbera d’Alba

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

Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Rioja Crianza

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

Has some of the rich, ripe dark fruit, though less of it.
Substantially less heavy.
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.

Has some of the rich, ripe dark fruit, though less of it.
Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Zinfandel

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

Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
A little less heavy.
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.

Argentine Malbec

curated

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

Expect: More floral and violet-scented, and usually 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 stronger and warmer, and more herbal and green.

California 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.

California Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, 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.

California 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.

California Pinot Noir

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

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

Barbera d’Alba

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

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

Zinfandel

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

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

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.

Agiorgitiko

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

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

Alentejo red

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

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

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 restrained in fruit, and more fruit-driven.

Barbera d’Alba

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

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

Barbera d’Alba

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

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

California Pinot Noir

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

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

Rioja Crianza

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 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 restrained in fruit, and less oaky.

Similar but less tannic

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

Argentine Malbec

curated

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

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

Barbera d’Alba

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

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

Barbera d’Asti

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

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

Barbera

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Mavrud

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

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

Brunello di Montalcino

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Touriga Nacional

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.

Toro

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.

Similar but fresher

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

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 restrained in fruit, and more fruit-driven.

Barbera d’Alba

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

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

California Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and leaner and more cutting.

New Zealand Pinot Noir

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

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

Similar but softer

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

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.

Argentine Malbec

curated

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

Expect: More floral and violet-scented, and usually 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 stronger and warmer, and fresher and more acidic.

California 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 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 restrained in fruit, 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 sweeter.

Lambrusco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

English sparkling rosé

English sparkling rosé scores closest to Barossa Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Similar but sweeter

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

California 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.

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 more sparkling.

Zinfandel

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

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

Ruby Port

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

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

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.

Argentine Malbec

curated

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

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

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 restrained in fruit, and more fruit-driven.

Grenache

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 stronger and warmer.

Montepulciano

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

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

California 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 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 stronger and warmer, and less oaky.

Argentine Malbec

curated

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.

California Pinot Noir

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

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

Similar but more aromatic

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

Morgon

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

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

Gamay

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

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

Malbec

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

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

Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more restrained

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

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 stronger and warmer, and more aromatic.

California 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 more aromatic.

California Pinot Noir

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

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

Barbera d’Alba

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

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

Similar but more floral

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

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 restrained in fruit, and more fruit-driven.

Argentine Malbec

curated

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

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

Gamay

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

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

Malbec

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 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.

New Zealand Pinot Noir

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

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

Australian Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

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

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.

Similar but fruitier

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

California 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.

Zinfandel

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

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

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 stronger and warmer, and more herbal and green.

California Pinot Noir

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

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

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.

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 stronger and warmer, 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 restrained in fruit, 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 restrained in fruit, 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 more restrained in fruit, and stronger and warmer.

Same grape, cooler climate

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

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 restrained in fruit, 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 restrained in fruit, and leaner and more cutting.

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 tannic and structured, and more restrained in fruit.

Montsant

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.

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 stronger and warmer, and more herbal and green.

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.

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 restrained in fruit, and less oaky.

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 fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.

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.

California 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.

California Pinot Noir

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

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

Rioja Crianza

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 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 restrained in fruit, and less oaky.

Something more adventurous

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

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 stronger and warmer, and more herbal and green.

Barbera d’Alba

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

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

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 restrained in fruit, and more fruit-driven.

Agiorgitiko

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

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

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.

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 stronger and warmer, and more herbal and green.

Barbera d’Alba

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

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

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 restrained in fruit, and more fruit-driven.

Agiorgitiko

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

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

A step up

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

New Zealand Pinot Noir

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

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

Argentine Malbec

curated

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

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

California Pinot Noir

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

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

Rioja Crianza

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 fresher and more acidic.

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.