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 drying or too tannic and too peppery.

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.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less peppery.

Merlot

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

Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less peppery.

Argentine Malbec

curated

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

Substantially less drying or too tannic.
About as peppery as the wine you started from.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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

Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less peppery.

Montepulciano

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

Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less peppery.

Bonarda

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

Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less peppery.

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less peppery.

Morgon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less peppery.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

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 less spicy, and sweeter.

Merlot

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

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

Argentine Malbec

curated

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

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

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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

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

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 less spicy, and sweeter.

Merlot

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

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

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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

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

Montepulciano

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and 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.

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 less spicy, and sweeter.

Merlot

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

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

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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

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

Montepulciano

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

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

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.

Merlot

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

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

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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

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

Montepulciano

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, 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

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barbera d’Asti

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barbera

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 less spicy.

Madiran

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less spicy.

Montefalco Sagrantino

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less spicy.

Bairrada Baga

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less spicy.

Similar but fresher

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

Bonarda

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

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

Barbera d’Alba

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Morgon

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

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

Barbera d’Asti

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

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 less spicy, and fresher and more acidic.

Argentine Malbec

curated

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

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

Merlot

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and leaner and more cutting.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, 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 spicier, and sweeter.

Lambrusco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

English sparkling rosé

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

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

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 less spicy, and lighter.

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Tinta Negra

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

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Bonarda

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

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

Montepulciano

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

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

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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

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

Morgon

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

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

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 less spicy, and less oaky.

Merlot

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

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

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 spicier, and less oaky.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less spicy.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Gamay

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

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

Morgon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Merlot

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

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

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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

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

Montepulciano

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

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

Similar but more floral

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

Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Gamay

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

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

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Canaiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir

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

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

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Oregon Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Primitivo

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 sweeter.

Barbera d’Alba

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Bonarda

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, 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 Crianza

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and lighter.

Grenache

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.

Montsant

Both are made from grenache.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less spicy.

California Rhône blend

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 spicier, and more herbal and green.

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 spicier, and more restrained in fruit.

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 spicier, and less oaky.

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

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 more tannic and structured, and less spicy.

Montsant

Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less spicy.

Same grape, warmer climate

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

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 more tannic and structured, and spicier.

Grenache

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and lighter.

California Rhône blend

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 spicier, and lighter.

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 less spicy, and sweeter.

Merlot

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

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

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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

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

Cru Beaujolais

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Something more adventurous

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

Montepulciano

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

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

Bonarda

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

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

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Morgon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, 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.

Montepulciano

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

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

Bonarda

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

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

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Morgon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

A step up

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

Oregon Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Chianti

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Argentine Malbec

curated

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

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

Merlot

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

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

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.