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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 peppery, too oaky or woody and too jammy or sweet-tasting.

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.

Negroamaro

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

Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.

Cahors

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

Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.

Montsant

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

Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.

Rosso di Montalcino

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

Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.

Carignan

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

Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.

Langhe Nebbiolo

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

Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.

Dão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.

Chianti

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Negroamaro

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

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

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 more restrained in fruit.

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 fruit-driven.

Rosso di Montalcino

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

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

Negroamaro

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

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

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 more restrained in fruit.

Rosso di Montalcino

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

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

Carignan

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

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

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.

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 more restrained in fruit.

Dão

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

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

Langhe Nebbiolo

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

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

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 fruit-driven.

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 more restrained in fruit.

Rosso di Montalcino

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

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

Carignan

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

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

Langhe Nebbiolo

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.

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

País

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

English still Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Madiran

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.

Montefalco Sagrantino

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.

Tannat

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

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

Sagrantino

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

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

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 more restrained in fruit.

Langhe Nebbiolo

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

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

Rosso di Montalcino

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

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

Chianti

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 spicy, and more restrained in fruit.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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

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

Montepulciano

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

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

Dolcetto

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

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

The sparkling version

Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.

Lambrusco

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

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Sparkling Shiraz

Both are made from shiraz, and both come from the same country.

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

Australian traditional-method sparkling

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

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Sagrantino

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

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

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.

Saperavi

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fresher and more acidic.

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.

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 more restrained in fruit.

Negroamaro

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

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

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 fruit-driven.

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 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 fruitier.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Both sit in the same style family.

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

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 more restrained in fruit.

Negroamaro

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

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

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 less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.

Gamay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Morgon

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

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

Similar but more restrained

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

Franken Silvaner

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Trebbiano d’Abruzzo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Vernaccia di San Gimignano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Silvaner

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, 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 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 more restrained in fruit.

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.

Langhe Nebbiolo

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.

Cahors

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

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

Negroamaro

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

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

Carignan

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

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

Langhe Nebbiolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, 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.

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 fruit-driven.

Bonarda

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

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

St Laurent

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Mencía

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, 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 fruit-driven.

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 fruit-driven.

Jumilla Monastrell

Both are made from mourvèdre, 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 spicier.

Priorat

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 more oaky, and spicier.

Same grape, cooler climate

Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower 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 more fruit-driven.

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.

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 more fruit-driven, 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.

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 more fruit-driven.

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 fruitier.

Priorat

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 more oaky, and spicier.

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 fruit-driven.

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.

Chianti

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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

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

Cru Beaujolais

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

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

Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Something more adventurous

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

Negroamaro

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

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

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 more restrained in fruit.

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 fruit-driven.

Rosso di Montalcino

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

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

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.

Negroamaro

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

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

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 more restrained in fruit.

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 fruit-driven.

Rosso di Montalcino

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

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

A step up

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

Priorat

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 more oaky, and spicier.

Chianti

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Oregon Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.