If you like this, try…
Wines like McLaren Vale Shiraz
Maritime-cooled South Australian Shiraz — a touch fresher and more red-fruited than the Barossa, with a salted-chocolate edge. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about McLaren Vale 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.
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".
- The bright red fruit
- Raspberry, redcurrant, sour cherry — lighter and sharper than dark fruit, usually from a cooler place or an earlier picking.
- 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.
Looking for something moving away from too tart or sour-fruited, too peppery and too drying or too tannic.
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.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Primitivo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- About as peppery as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Bonarda
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Corvinone
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
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 fruitier.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.
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 fruitier.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.
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 lighter, and less spicy.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.
Montepulciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.
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 fresher, and lighter.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Bonarda
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
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 fresher, and fruitier.
Tinta Negra
Tinta Negra scores closest to McLaren Vale Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter.
Barbera d’Alba
Barbera d’Alba scores closest to McLaren Vale Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fresher.
Barbera d’Asti
Barbera d’Asti scores closest to McLaren Vale Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less tannic and softer.
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 fresher.
Montefalco Sagrantino
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fresher.
Tannat
Tannat scores closest to McLaren Vale Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fresher.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Bonarda
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Morgon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Corvinone
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Barbera d’Alba
Barbera d’Alba scores closest to McLaren Vale Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less tannic and softer.
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 fruitier.
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 fresher, and fruitier.
Barossa Shiraz
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 fruitier.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to McLaren Vale Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to McLaren Vale Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, 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 fruitier.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Primitivo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.
Vin Doux Naturel
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
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.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Corvinone
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Négrette
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.
Tinta Negra
Tinta Negra scores closest to McLaren Vale Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Barossa Shiraz
Both are made from shiraz, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fruitier.
Napa Valley 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 fresher.
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 fruitier.
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
Cabernet Franc scores closest to McLaren Vale Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Morgon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fresher.
Gamay
Gamay scores closest to McLaren Vale Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, 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.
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 fruitier.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.
Montepulciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.
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 fresher, and fruitier.
Négrette
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc scores closest to McLaren Vale Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Canaiolo
Canaiolo scores closest to McLaren Vale Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Negroamaro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fresher.
Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Ribera del Duero
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 fresher.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir) scores closest to McLaren Vale Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less spicy.
Primitivo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.
Bonarda
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
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.
Grenache
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Rioja Crianza
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
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 lighter.
Super Tuscan
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 fresher.
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 lighter, and fresher.
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 lighter.
Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from shiraz, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more tannic and structured.
Australian Grenache
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
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.
Barossa Shiraz
Both are made from shiraz, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fruitier.
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 fruitier.
Grenache
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more tannic and structured.
Change the mood
Safer, stranger, cheaper or more serious.
A safe next step
Well-known wines that are widely available and unlikely to surprise anyone.
California 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 fruitier.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.
Primitivo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.
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 lighter, and less spicy.
Bonarda
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Corvinone
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
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 lighter, and less spicy.
Bonarda
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Corvinone
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
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.
Ribera del Duero
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 fresher.
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 fresher, and fruitier.
Barossa Shiraz
Both are made from shiraz, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fruitier.
Priorat
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 more tannic and structured, and fresher.
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.