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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 firm tannic structure and the vanilla, toast and oak character, while moving away from too oaky or woody and too austere.

You said you like the vanilla, toast and oak character and that it is too oaky or woody. Both are about oak influence, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
You said you like the vanilla, toast and oak character and that it is too oaky or woody. Both are about spice, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.

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.

Touriga Franca

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

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Has noticeably less of the vanilla, toast and oak character.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less austere.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

curated

A neighbouring South Australian region with maritime cooling.

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Has some of the vanilla, toast and oak character, though less of it.
A little less oaky or woody.
About as austere as the wine you started from.

Touriga Nacional

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

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Has some of the vanilla, toast and oak character, though less of it.
A little less oaky or woody.
Substantially less austere.

Sagrantino

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

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Has noticeably less of the vanilla, toast and oak character.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less austere.

Jumilla Monastrell

curated

Comparable density and warmth at a much lower price.

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Has some of the vanilla, toast and oak character, though less of it.
A little less oaky or woody.
About as austere as the wine you started from.

Primitivo di Manduria

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

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Has some of the vanilla, toast and oak character, though less of it.
A little less oaky or woody.
Substantially less austere.

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Has some of the vanilla, toast and oak character, though less of it.
A little less oaky or woody.
Substantially less austere.

Primitivo

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

Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
Has some of the vanilla, toast and oak character, though less of it.
A little less oaky or woody.
Substantially less austere.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Touriga Franca

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

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

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.

Touriga Nacional

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

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

Sagrantino

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

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

Touriga Franca

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

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

Touriga Nacional

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

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

Sagrantino

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

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

Primitivo di Manduria

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

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.

Touriga Franca

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

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

Saperavi

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

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

Tinto Cão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Pinotage

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more 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.

Touriga Franca

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

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

Touriga Nacional

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

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

Saperavi

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

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

Pinotage

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more 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.

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 oaky.

Muscat Bailey A

Muscat Bailey A scores closest to Barossa Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Barbera d’Alba

Barbera d’Alba scores closest to Barossa Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

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 drier.

Priorat

Both are made from grenache, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Similar but fresher

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

Touriga Franca

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

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

Touriga Nacional

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

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

Sagrantino

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

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.

Primitivo di Manduria

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

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 drier, and spicier.

Primitivo

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

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

Dalmatian Plavac Mali

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

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 less tannic and softer, and spicier.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Lambrusco

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

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

Touriga Franca

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

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Sagrantino

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

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

Touriga Franca

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

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

Touriga Nacional

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

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

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.

Touriga Franca

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

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

Touriga Nacional

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

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

Sagrantino

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

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

Saperavi

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

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

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.

Touriga Franca

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

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

Primitivo di Manduria

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Barbaresco

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Barolo

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Nebbiolo

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

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

Similar but more restrained

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

Sagrantino

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

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

Touriga Franca

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

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

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.

Primitivo di Manduria

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Similar but more floral

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

Touriga Franca

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

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

Touriga Nacional

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

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

Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Barbaresco

Both sit in the same style family.

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

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.

Sagrantino

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

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

Saperavi

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

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Primitivo di Manduria

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Primitivo

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

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

Touriga Franca

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

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

Touriga Nacional

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

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

Change the place

Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.

Same grape, somewhere else

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

Jumilla Monastrell

curated

Comparable density and warmth at a much lower price.

Expect: Earthier and more gamey, with less oak.

Mourvèdre

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Priorat

Both are made from grenache, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Same grape, cooler climate

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

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 drier, and less spicy.

Montsant

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

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

Rioja

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.

Bekaa Valley Red

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

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 drier, and more oaky.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Both are made from grenache, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

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.

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Primitivo

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

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

Zinfandel

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Something more adventurous

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

Touriga Franca

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

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

Touriga Nacional

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

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

Sagrantino

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

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

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.

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.

Touriga Franca

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

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

Jumilla Monastrell

curated

Comparable density and warmth at a much lower price.

Expect: Earthier and more gamey, with less oak.

Touriga Nacional

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

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

Sagrantino

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

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

A step up

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Priorat

Both are made from grenache, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Both are made from grenache, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Ribera del Duero

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.

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.