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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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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.

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 peppery, 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.

Montsant

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

Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less oaky or woody.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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

Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less oaky or woody.

Montepulciano

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

Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less oaky or woody.

Cahors

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

Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less oaky or woody.

Bonarda

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

Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less oaky or woody.

Negroamaro

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

Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less oaky or woody.

Morgon

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

Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less oaky or woody.

Carignan

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

Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less heavy.
Substantially 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.

Montsant

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more herbal and green.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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

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

Montepulciano

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

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

Cahors

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 earthier.

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 less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.

Montepulciano

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

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

Cahors

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 earthier.

Bonarda

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

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

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.

Bobal

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

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

Bonarda

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

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

Cahors

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 earthier.

Carignan

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, 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.

Cahors

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 earthier.

Morgon

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and leaner and more cutting.

Carignan

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

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

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

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 oaky, and less spicy.

Similar but less tannic

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

Gamay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Muscat Bailey A

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barbera d’Alba

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

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

Barbera d’Asti

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

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Bairrada Baga

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

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

Barbaresco

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

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

Baga

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

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

Naoussa Xinomavro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fresher

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

Cahors

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 earthier.

Carignan

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

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

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

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 oaky, and less spicy.

Morgon

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and leaner and more cutting.

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 spicy, and less tannic and softer.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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

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

Montepulciano

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

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

Dolcetto

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 spicier.

Lambrusco

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

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Australian traditional-method sparkling

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

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

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 less spicy.

Tinto Cão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Corvinone

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

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

Touriga Franca

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

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

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.

Montsant

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more herbal and green.

Cahors

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 earthier.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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

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

Montepulciano

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

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

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.

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 more oaky, and less spicy.

Montsant

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more herbal and green.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Barbaresco

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

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

Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Gamay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Morgon

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and leaner and more cutting.

Similar but more restrained

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

Trebbiano d’Abruzzo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Franken Silvaner

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Vernaccia di San Gimignano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Silvaner

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.

Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cahors

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 earthier.

Gamay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barbaresco

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

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Cahors

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 earthier.

Carignan

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and leaner and more cutting.

Negroamaro

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

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

Dão

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

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

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.

Bonarda

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

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

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 less spicy.

Tinta Barroca

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

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

Corvinone

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

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

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.

Montsant

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more herbal and green.

Grenache

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

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

Mourvèdre

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

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

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

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 oaky, and less spicy.

Montsant

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more herbal and green.

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 spicier, and more floral.

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 spicier.

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Montsant

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

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

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

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 oaky, 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 stronger and warmer, and spicier.

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 spicier, and fresher and more acidic.

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 less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.

Chianti

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cru Beaujolais

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Chilean 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 oaky, and less spicy.

Something more adventurous

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

Montsant

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more herbal and green.

Montepulciano

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

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

Cahors

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 earthier.

Bonarda

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

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

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.

Montsant

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more herbal and green.

Montepulciano

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

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

Cahors

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 earthier.

Bonarda

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

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

A step up

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

Chianti

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barbaresco

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

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

Chianti Classico

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

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

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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

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

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.