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 keeping the rich, ripe dark fruit, while moving away from too drying or too tannic, 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.

Argentine Malbec

curated

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

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

Barbera d’Alba

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

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

California Pinot Noir

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

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

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 drying or too tannic.
A little less oaky or woody.
Substantially less heavy.

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.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
A little less oaky or woody.
A little less heavy.

Merlot

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

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

curated

A neighbouring South Australian region with maritime cooling.

Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
About as drying or too tannic as the wine you started from.
A little less oaky or woody.
About as heavy as the wine you started from.

Australian Grenache

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

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

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 less spicy.

California Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and earthier.

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 spicier.

Different grape, similar feel

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

Barbera d’Alba

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

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

California Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and earthier.

Merlot

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

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

Argentine Malbec

curated

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

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

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.

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 less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.

Barbera d’Alba

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

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

California Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and earthier.

Merlot

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

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

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 less spicy.

California Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and earthier.

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 spicier.

Merlot

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

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

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 less spicy.

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.

Toro

Both sit in the same style family.

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

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.

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.

Similar but fresher

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

Barbera d’Alba

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

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

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.

California Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and earthier.

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 spicier.

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 spicier, and stronger and warmer.

Merlot

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

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

curated

Both are made from shiraz, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

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

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 spicier.

Lambrusco

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

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

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.

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 spicier.

Ruby Port

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

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

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 oaky, and less spicy.

Vin Doux Naturel

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, 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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

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

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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

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

Montepulciano

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

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

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 spicier.

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 oaky, and less spicy.

Barbera d’Alba

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

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

California Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and earthier.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Gamay

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

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

Morgon

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.

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 restrained

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

Barbera d’Alba

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

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

California Pinot Noir

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

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

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 spicier.

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 spicier, and stronger and warmer.

Similar but more floral

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

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 less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.

Gamay

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

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

Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Oregon Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 oaky, and more fruit-driven.

Zinfandel

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 stronger and warmer.

Barbera d’Alba

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

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

California Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and earthier.

Change the place

Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.

Same grape, somewhere else

Holds the variety constant and changes the place, which is often a bigger change than swapping the grape.

Rioja Crianza

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

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

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 spicier, 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 less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.

Southern Rhône blend

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.

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 less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.

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 spicier.

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 spicier, and stronger and warmer.

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.

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.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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 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 Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and earthier.

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 spicier.

Merlot

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

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

Argentine Malbec

curated

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

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

Something more adventurous

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

Barbera d’Alba

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

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

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 spicier, and stronger and warmer.

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 less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.

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.

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.

Barbera d’Alba

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

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

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 spicier, and stronger and warmer.

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 less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.

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.

A step up

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

Argentine Malbec

curated

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

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

New Zealand Pinot Noir

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

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

Oregon Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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 fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.

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.