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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 full body and weight and the peppery, spicy character.

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.

Keeps the full body and weight.
Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.

Dalmatian Plavac Mali

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

Keeps the full body and weight.
Keeps the peppery, spicy character.

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

Keeps the full body and weight.
Keeps the peppery, spicy character.

Primitivo di Manduria

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

Keeps the full body and weight.
Keeps the peppery, spicy character.

Plavac Mali

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

Keeps the full body and weight.
Keeps the peppery, spicy character.

Petite Sirah

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

Keeps the full body and weight.
Keeps the peppery, spicy 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.

Keeps the full body and weight.
Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.

Southern Rhône blend

curated

The same varieties and region at village level.

Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
Keeps the peppery, spicy character.

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.

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.

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

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.

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 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.

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.

Bekaa Valley Red

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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 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 lighter in alcohol.

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 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 in alcohol, and lighter.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

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 less spicy.

Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.

Northern Rhône 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 in alcohol, and lighter.

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 less spicy, and lighter in alcohol.

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 less spicy, and sweeter.

Tawny Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.

Late Bottled Vintage Port

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

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Petite Sirah

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.

Priorat

curated

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

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

Mavrud

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

Petit Verdot

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

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

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.

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 less spicy, 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 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.

Similar but softer

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

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 less spicy, 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 less spicy, and lighter in alcohol.

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 fresher and more acidic, and riper and less green.

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 fresher and more acidic, and riper and less green.

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 lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

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 stiller, and riper and less green.

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 stiller, and riper and less green.

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 stiller, and riper and less green.

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.

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

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 less spicy, and sweeter.

Vintage Port

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

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, 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.

Nero di Troia

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

Trincadeira

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

Broad-leaved Melnik

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

Cornalin

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

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 less spicy, 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.

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

Similar but more aromatic

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

Syrah

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

Barolo

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Nebbiolo

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

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

Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

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.

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.

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 more aromatic, and riper and less green.

Plavac Mali

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

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.

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 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 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 less spicy, and lighter in alcohol.

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 less spicy, and lighter in alcohol.

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and spicier.

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

Brunello di Montalcino

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

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

Taurasi

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

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

Petite Sirah

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.

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 less spicy, 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 less spicy, 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.

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 less spicy, 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 less spicy, and more 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 lighter, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Bekaa Valley Red

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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 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 lighter in alcohol.

Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

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 less spicy, 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 less spicy, and more oaky.

Shiraz

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

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

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 less spicy, 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 less spicy, and more oaky.

Something more adventurous

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

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.

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 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.

Petite Sirah

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

Petite Sirah

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.

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.

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 less spicy, and lighter in alcohol.

Northern Rhône 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 spicier.

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.