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Wines like Châteauneuf-du-Pape

The southern Rhône’s flagship: a warm, powerful, herb-scented Grenache-led blend from stony vineyards near Avignon. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

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What do you like about Châteauneuf-du-Pape?

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 herbal, green side The spice The earthy, mineral side The savoury, meaty side

But it’s a bit…

too jammy or sweet-tasting too heavy too green or grassy too peppery too earthy or musty too savoury or funky

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 herbal, green side: Grass, blackcurrant leaf, green pepper, mint. It divides people more sharply than almost any other character.
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.
The earthy, mineral side: Forest floor, wet stone, mushroom, damp earth. Widely described and much less well explained than wine writing implies — the sensation is real, the causal story usually is not.
The savoury, meaty side: Leather, olive, cured meat, dried herbs, tobacco. It is what people mean by calling a wine "serious" rather than "fruity", and it comes with age as well as with place.

Looking for something keeping the rich, ripe dark fruit and the full body and weight.

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.

Priorat

curated

Both are concentrated old-vine Grenache expressions from hot Mediterranean sites.

Has some of the rich, ripe dark fruit, though less of it.
Keeps the full body and weight.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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.
Keeps the full body and weight.

Dalmatian Plavac Mali

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

Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
Keeps the full body and weight.

Barossa Shiraz

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.
Keeps the full body and weight.

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
Keeps the full body and weight.

Napa Valley 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.
Keeps the full body and weight.

Plavac Mali

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

Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
Keeps the full body and weight.

Sonoma 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.
Keeps the full body and weight.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Priorat

curated

Both are concentrated old-vine Grenache expressions from hot Mediterranean sites.

Expect: More mineral and firmer, with a distinctive slate character.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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 more fruit-driven, and riper and less green.

Dalmatian Plavac Mali

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Barossa Shiraz

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 more fruit-driven, and more oaky.

Different grape, similar feel

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

Dalmatian Plavac Mali

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

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 riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Napa Valley 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 oaky.

Plavac Mali

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

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.

Southern Rhône blend

curated

The same varieties and region at village level.

Expect: Lighter and simpler, at a fraction of the price.

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 lighter, and more fruit-driven.

Washington Syrah

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

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

Syrah

Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

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

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.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

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

Bolgheri

Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

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

Argentine Malbec

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

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

Super Tuscan

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

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

Similar but less tannic

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

Argentine Malbec

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 lighter in alcohol.

Barbera d’Alba

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barbera d’Asti

Barbera d’Asti scores closest to Châteauneuf-du-Pape across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Vin Doux Naturel

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

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Priorat

curated

Both are concentrated old-vine Grenache expressions from hot Mediterranean sites.

Expect: More mineral and firmer, with a distinctive slate character.

Toro

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 riper and less green.

Petite Sirah

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

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

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

Similar but fresher

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

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 riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Priorat

curated

Both are concentrated old-vine Grenache expressions from hot Mediterranean sites.

Expect: More mineral and firmer, with a distinctive slate character.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

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

Bolgheri

Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

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

Similar but softer

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

Pedro Ximénez

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

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

Condrieu

Both are made from roussanne, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

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

Viognier

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

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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 more fruit-driven, and fresher and more acidic.

The sparkling version

Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.

Sparkling Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Lambrusco

Lambrusco scores closest to Châteauneuf-du-Pape across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Châteauneuf-du-Pape across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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 stiller, and more fruit-driven.

Similar but sweeter

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

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 riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Late Bottled Vintage Port

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

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

Port

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

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

Primitivo

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

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

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.

Broad-leaved Melnik

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cornalin

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Nero di Troia

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Bobal

Bobal scores closest to Châteauneuf-du-Pape across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

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 riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Barossa Shiraz

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 more fruit-driven, and riper and less green.

Dalmatian Plavac Mali

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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 more fruit-driven, and riper and less green.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Syrah

Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

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

Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Barbaresco

Both sit in the same style family.

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.

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.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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 more fruit-driven, and more aromatic.

Dalmatian Plavac Mali

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

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.

Barossa Shiraz

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 more fruit-driven, and more aromatic.

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 more aromatic, and riper and less green.

Similar but more floral

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

Argentine Malbec

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 lighter in alcohol.

Touriga Nacional

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

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

Douro red

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

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

Syrah

Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Northern Rhône Syrah

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

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

Brunello di Montalcino

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Rioja Gran Reserva

Both are made from grenache.

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

Similar but fruitier

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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 more fruit-driven, and riper and less green.

Barossa Shiraz

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 more fruit-driven, and more oaky.

Napa Valley 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 oaky.

Sonoma 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 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.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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 more fruit-driven, and riper and less green.

Barossa Shiraz

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 more fruit-driven, and more oaky.

Priorat

curated

Both are concentrated old-vine Grenache expressions from hot Mediterranean sites.

Expect: More mineral and firmer, with a distinctive slate character.

Bolgheri

Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

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

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Bolgheri

Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

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

Priorat

curated

Both are concentrated old-vine Grenache expressions from hot Mediterranean sites.

Expect: More mineral and firmer, with a distinctive slate character.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

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

Washington Syrah

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

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

Same grape, warmer climate

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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 more fruit-driven, and riper and less green.

Barossa Shiraz

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 more fruit-driven, and more oaky.

Shiraz

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

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

Bolgheri

Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

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

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.

Barossa Shiraz

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 more fruit-driven, and more oaky.

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 riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Priorat

curated

Both are concentrated old-vine Grenache expressions from hot Mediterranean sites.

Expect: More mineral and firmer, with a distinctive slate character.

Napa Valley 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 oaky.

Something more adventurous

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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 more fruit-driven, and riper and less green.

Dalmatian Plavac Mali

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Plavac Mali

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Sonoma 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 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.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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 more fruit-driven, and riper and less green.

Dalmatian Plavac Mali

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Plavac Mali

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Sonoma 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 oaky.

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 riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Priorat

curated

Both are concentrated old-vine Grenache expressions from hot Mediterranean sites.

Expect: More mineral and firmer, with a distinctive slate character.

Barossa Shiraz

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 more fruit-driven, and more oaky.

Ribera del Duero

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

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

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.