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Wines like Northern Rhône Syrah

Cool-climate Syrah at its most savoury: black pepper, olive and cured meat over dark fruit, with firm structure at moderate alcohol. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

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What do you like about Northern Rhône Syrah?

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 firm, grippy structure The spice The earthy, mineral side The savoury, meaty side

But it’s a bit…

too drying or too tannic too oaky or woody too peppery too floral or soapy too earthy or musty too savoury or funky

Clear all

What these words mean

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.
The floral character: Rose, violet, elderflower, orange blossom.
The earthy, mineral side: Forest floor, wet stone, mushroom, damp earth. Widely described and much less well explained than wine writing implies — the sensation is real, the causal story usually is not.
The savoury, meaty side: Leather, olive, cured meat, dried herbs, tobacco. It is what people mean by calling a wine "serious" rather than "fruity", and it comes with age as well as with place.

Looking for something moving away from too floral or soapy.

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.

Bekaa Valley Red

Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Substantially less floral or soapy.

Blaufränkisch

curated

Central Europe’s peppery, high-acid red occupies similar savoury territory.

Substantially less floral or soapy.

Jumilla Monastrell

Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Substantially less floral or soapy.

Syrah

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

Substantially less floral or soapy.

Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends

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

Substantially less floral or soapy.

Priorat

Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Substantially less floral or soapy.

Brunello di Montalcino

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

Substantially less floral or soapy.

Mavrud

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

Substantially less floral or soapy.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Bekaa Valley Red

Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.

Blaufränkisch

curated

Central Europe’s peppery, high-acid red occupies similar savoury territory.

Expect: Lighter and sharper, with sour cherry in place of blackberry.

Jumilla Monastrell

Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

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

Syrah

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

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and softer and rounder.

Different grape, similar feel

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

Brunello di Montalcino

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

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

Mavrud

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

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

Red Bordeaux

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

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

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione

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

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

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.

Blaufränkisch

curated

Central Europe’s peppery, high-acid red occupies similar savoury territory.

Expect: Lighter and sharper, with sour cherry in place of blackberry.

Trousseau

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

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

Mondeuse Noire

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

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

País

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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.

Mondeuse Noire

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

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

Valpolicella

Valpolicella scores closest to Northern Rhône Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Trousseau

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

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Northern Rhône Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Barossa Shiraz

curated

The same grape at the opposite end of the climate spectrum.

Expect: Chocolate, sweet dark fruit and much higher alcohol — no pepper.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

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

Priorat

Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Similar but less tannic

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

Southern Rhône blend

Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

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

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

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

California Rhône blend

Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

New Zealand Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Brunello di Montalcino

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

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

Priorat

Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

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

Taurasi

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

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

Mavrud

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

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

Similar but fresher

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

Bairrada Baga

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

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

Baga

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Chianti Classico

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Rosso di Montalcino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but softer

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

Barossa Shiraz

curated

The same grape at the opposite end of the climate spectrum.

Expect: Chocolate, sweet dark fruit and much higher alcohol — no pepper.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

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

Dalmatian Plavac Mali

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

The sparkling version

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

Sparkling Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Northern Rhône Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stiller.

Lambrusco

Lambrusco scores closest to Northern Rhône Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and stiller.

Franciacorta

Franciacorta scores closest to Northern Rhône Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Saperavi

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

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

Pinotage

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

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.

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.

Broad-leaved Melnik

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cornalin

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Nero di Troia

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Bobal

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Barossa Shiraz

curated

The same grape at the opposite end of the climate spectrum.

Expect: Chocolate, sweet dark fruit and much higher alcohol — no pepper.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Ribera del Duero

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

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

Super Tuscan

Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Pinot Noir

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

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

Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Cabernet Franc

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

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

Gamay

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

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, 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.

Sémillon

Both come from the same country.

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

Pinot Blanc

Both come from the same country.

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

Trebbiano d’Abruzzo

Trebbiano d’Abruzzo scores closest to Northern Rhône Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Franken Silvaner

Franken Silvaner scores closest to Northern Rhône Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Similar but more floral

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

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.

Syrah

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

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

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Morgon

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

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

Grenache

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

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

Similar but less floral

Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.

Bekaa Valley Red

Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.

Bolgheri

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Brunello di Montalcino

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

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

California Rhône blend

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Similar but more savoury

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

Taurasi

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

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

Rioja Gran Reserva

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.

Chianti Classico Riserva

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Brunello di Montalcino

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

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Barossa Shiraz

curated

The same grape at the opposite end of the climate spectrum.

Expect: Chocolate, sweet dark fruit and much higher alcohol — no pepper.

Bolgheri

Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

California Rhône blend

Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

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

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.

Bekaa Valley Red

Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.

Jumilla Monastrell

Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

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

Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends

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

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

Priorat

Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

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

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Bekaa Valley Red

Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and softer and rounder.

Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends

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

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

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Montsant

Both are made from syrah.

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

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Barossa Shiraz

curated

The same grape at the opposite end of the climate spectrum.

Expect: Chocolate, sweet dark fruit and much higher alcohol — no pepper.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

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.

Syrah

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

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and softer and rounder.

Priorat

Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

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

Brunello di Montalcino

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

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

Red Bordeaux

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

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

Something more adventurous

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

Blaufränkisch

curated

Central Europe’s peppery, high-acid red occupies similar savoury territory.

Expect: Lighter and sharper, with sour cherry in place of blackberry.

Bekaa Valley Red

Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.

Jumilla Monastrell

Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

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

Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends

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

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

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.

Bekaa Valley Red

Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.

Jumilla Monastrell

Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

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

Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends

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

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

Mavrud

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

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

A step up

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

Priorat

Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

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

Brunello di Montalcino

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

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

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

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

Ribera del Duero

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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.