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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 drying or too tannic 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 peppery.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less oaky or woody.

Montepulciano

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

Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less oaky or woody.

Bonarda

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

Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less oaky or woody.

Morgon

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

Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less oaky or woody.

Chilean Pinot Noir

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

Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less oaky or woody.

St Laurent

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

Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less oaky or woody.

Bierzo Mencía

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

Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less oaky or woody.

Cru Beaujolais

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

Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
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.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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

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

Montepulciano

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

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

Bonarda

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

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

Morgon

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

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

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 lighter.

Montepulciano

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

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

Bonarda

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

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

Morgon

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

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

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.

Bierzo Mencía

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

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

Bonarda

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

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

Cabernet Franc

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

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

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

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

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

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.

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

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

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

Cru Beaujolais

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

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

Cabernet Franc

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

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

Loire Cabernet Franc

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

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

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 less tannic and softer, and less spicy.

Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

País

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 more oaky.

Madiran

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Bairrada Baga

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Similar but fresher

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

Chianti

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

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

Morgon

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

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

Chilean Pinot Noir

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

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

Loire Cabernet Franc

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

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

Similar but softer

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

Marsanne

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

English sparkling rosé

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Corvinone

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less 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.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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

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

Montepulciano

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

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

Bonarda

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

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

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 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 more tannic and structured.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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

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

Montepulciano

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

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

Similar but more aromatic

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

Cabernet Franc

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

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

Gamay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Muscat Bailey A

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Koshu

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Montepulciano

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

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

Bonarda

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

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

Similar but more floral

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

Cabernet Franc

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

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

Gamay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Bierzo Mencía

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

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

Mencía

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

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Chianti

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

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

Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 spicier, 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.

Bonarda

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

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

St Laurent

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

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

Mencía

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

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

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

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

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

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 less spicy.

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.

Southern Rhône blend

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more herbal and green.

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 spicier, and more floral.

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 less spicy.

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 tannic and structured, and more oaky.

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.

Grenache

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and lighter.

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.

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.

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 less spicy.

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 lighter.

Cru Beaujolais

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

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

Chianti

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

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

Cabernet Franc

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

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

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 less spicy, and lighter.

Bonarda

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

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

Morgon

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

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

Chilean Pinot Noir

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

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

Bonarda

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

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

Morgon

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

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

Chilean Pinot Noir

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

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

A step up

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

Chianti

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

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

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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

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

Oregon Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cru Beaujolais

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

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

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.