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 keeping the firm tannic structure, while moving away from too peppery 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.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
Cahors
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
Negroamaro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
Carignan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
Rosso di Montalcino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
Dão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from shiraz, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Substantially less peppery.
- 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.
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.
Negroamaro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
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.
Negroamaro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
Dolcetto
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 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 earthier.
Carignan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.
Colorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
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 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.
Carignan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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.
Fer Servadou
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less 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.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more oaky.
Gamay
Gamay scores closest to McLaren Vale Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
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 less spicy.
Beaujolais
Beaujolais scores closest to McLaren Vale Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Toro
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 more oaky.
Madiran
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 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.
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.
Dão
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.
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.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter.
Toro
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 more oaky.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Montepulciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
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 less oaky, and less tannic and softer.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to McLaren Vale Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less tannic and softer.
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 less tannic and softer, and more oaky.
English sparkling rosé
English sparkling rosé scores closest to McLaren Vale Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
Tinta Barroca
Tinta Barroca scores closest to McLaren Vale Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less oaky.
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.
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.
Negroamaro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, 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 spicier.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
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.
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.
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 less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Barbaresco
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
Morgon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
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.
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 aromatic.
Negroamaro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more aromatic.
Dolcetto
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 less spicy, and more aromatic.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower 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.
Dão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Etna Rosso
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 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.
Dão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter.
Negroamaro
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 restrained in fruit.
Fer Servadou
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Graciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Toro
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 more oaky.
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.
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.
Grenache
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, 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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and spicier.
Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends
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, 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.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
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 spicier, and more herbal and green.
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.
Washington 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 spicier.
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 oaky, and spicier.
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.
Chilean 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.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Cru Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Chianti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, 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.
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.
Negroamaro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
Dolcetto
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.
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.
Negroamaro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
Dolcetto
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.
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.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
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 spicier, and more herbal and green.
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 more oaky.
Chianti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Chianti Classico
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
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.