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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.

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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.

I like…

The rich dark fruit How full and weighty it is The firm, grippy structure

But it’s a bit…

too jammy or sweet-tasting too tart or sour-fruited too heavy too drying or too tannic too oaky or woody too peppery

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".
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 drying or too tannic, too tart or sour-fruited, too heavy and too oaky or woody.

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.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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

Substantially less drying or too tannic.
About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less oaky or woody.

Montepulciano

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

Substantially less drying or too tannic.
About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less oaky or woody.

Bonarda

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

Substantially less drying or too tannic.
About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less oaky or woody.

Grenache

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

Substantially less drying or too tannic.
About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
A little less heavy.
A little less oaky or woody.

Southern Rhône blend

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

Substantially less drying or too tannic.
About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
Substantially less heavy.
A little less oaky or woody.

Tinta Barroca

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

Substantially less drying or too tannic.
About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less oaky or woody.

Corvinone

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

Substantially less drying or too tannic.
About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less oaky or woody.

Australian Grenache

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

Substantially less drying or too tannic.
More tart or sour-fruited, not less.
Substantially less heavy.
A little less oaky or woody.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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

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

Montepulciano

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

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

Bonarda

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

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

Grenache

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and stronger and warmer.

Different grape, similar feel

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

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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

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

Montepulciano

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

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

Bonarda

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

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

Tinta Barroca

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

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

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.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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

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

Montepulciano

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

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

Bonarda

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

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

Southern Rhône blend

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fresher.

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.

Australian Grenache

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and spicier.

Morgon

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

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

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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

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

Montepulciano

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

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

Similar but less tannic

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

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 fuller and richer, and more oaky.

Muscat Bailey A

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

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

Gamay

Gamay 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.

Madiran

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.

Barbaresco

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Mavrud

Mavrud scores closest to McLaren Vale Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Priorat

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.

Similar but fresher

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

Australian Grenache

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and spicier.

Morgon

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

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

Valpolicella Ripasso

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and spicier.

Areni

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.

Similar but softer

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

Marsanne

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

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

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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

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

Montepulciano

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

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

Grenache

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and stronger and warmer.

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 more oaky, and fresher.

Lambrusco

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

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Franciacorta

Franciacorta scores closest to McLaren Vale Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Tinta Barroca

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

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

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 more oaky, and fresher.

Corvinone

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

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

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 less oaky, and fresher.

Corvinone

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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

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

Négrette

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Barossa Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Merlot

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

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

Similar but more aromatic

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

Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.

Morgon

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

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

Gamay

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.

Malbec

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

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

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.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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

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

Montepulciano

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

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

Bonarda

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

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

Southern Rhône blend

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fresher.

Similar but more floral

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

Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.

Australian Grenache

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and spicier.

Négrette

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Grenache

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and stronger and warmer.

Similar but more savoury

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

Australian Pinot Noir

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.

Negroamaro

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

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

Languedoc red

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

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

Areni

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.

Similar but fruitier

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

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Bonarda

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

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

Tinta Barroca

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

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

Corvinone

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

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

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 stronger and warmer.

Southern Rhône blend

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fresher.

Rioja Crianza

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

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

Montsant

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

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

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Australian Grenache

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and spicier.

Rioja Crianza

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

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

Montsant

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

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

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 fresher, and more tannic and structured.

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Grenache

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and stronger and warmer.

Southern Rhône blend

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fresher.

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 fruitier, and spicier.

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 fuller and richer, 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.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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

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

Grenache

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and stronger and warmer.

Southern Rhône blend

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fresher.

Rioja Crianza

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

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

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 fresher, and less spicy.

Bonarda

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

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

Tinta Barroca

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

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

Corvinone

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

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

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 fresher, and less spicy.

Bonarda

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

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

Tinta Barroca

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

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

Corvinone

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

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

A step up

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

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 fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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

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

Grenache

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and stronger and warmer.

Southern Rhône blend

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fresher.

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.