If you like this, try…

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.

← Back to Northern Rhône Syrah

Refine

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 keeping the firm tannic structure, while moving away from too floral or soapy and too peppery.

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.

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less peppery.

Barossa Shiraz

curated

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

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less peppery.

Blaufränkisch

curated

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

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less peppery.

Syrah

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

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less peppery.

Jumilla Monastrell

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

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less peppery.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less peppery.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less peppery.

Super Tuscan

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

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less floral or soapy.
Substantially less peppery.

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.

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.

Blaufränkisch

curated

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

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

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.

Mavrud

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 more fruit-driven.

Red Bordeaux

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 less floral.

Melnik

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.

Blaufränkisch

curated

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

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

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.

Mondeuse Noire

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

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

Fer Servadou

Both come from the same country.

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

Trousseau

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, 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

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

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

Fer Servadou

Both come from the same country.

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

Trousseau

Both come from the same country.

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

Red Burgundy

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

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Amarone della Valpolicella

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.

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 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 more herbal and green.

Dalmatian Plavac Mali

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 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 tannic and softer, and less floral.

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 tannic and softer, and less floral.

New Zealand Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

California Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

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 more tannic and structured, and less floral.

Brunello di Montalcino

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 less floral.

Taurasi

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 less floral.

Aglianico

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less floral.

Similar but fresher

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

Mondeuse Noire

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

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

Blaufränkisch

curated

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

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

Saperavi

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.

Chianti Classico

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

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

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 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 more herbal and green.

Dalmatian Plavac Mali

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Jumilla Monastrell

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 less spicy.

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 tannic and softer, and less floral.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Lambrusco

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

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

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 stiller, and less floral.

Similar but sweeter

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Pinotage

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.

Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Saperavi

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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.

Broad-leaved Melnik

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

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

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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 more oaky.

Cornalin

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

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

Mondeuse Noire

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

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

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 less spicy.

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 less spicy.

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 less spicy.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Malbec

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

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

Barolo

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Nebbiolo

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

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

Pinot Noir

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

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.

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.

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 more aromatic.

Jumilla Monastrell

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 less spicy.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

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.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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 more aromatic.

Similar but more floral

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

Barolo

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Nebbiolo

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

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

Douro red

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Barbaresco

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Similar but less floral

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.

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.

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

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

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

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 more tannic and structured, and less floral.

Mourvèdre

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

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

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

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

Brunello di Montalcino

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 less floral.

Similar but fruitier

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.

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 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 less spicy.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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 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 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 less spicy.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

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 less spicy.

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 less spicy.

Same grape, cooler climate

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

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 softer and rounder.

Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends

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

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

Washington Syrah

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 more floral, and softer and rounder.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

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, 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.

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 less spicy.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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 more herbal and green.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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.

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.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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 more herbal and green.

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 less spicy.

Red Bordeaux

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 less floral.

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 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 less spicy.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

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 less spicy.

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 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 less spicy.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

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 less spicy.

Languedoc red

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 less floral, and more herbal and green.

A step up

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

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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 more herbal and green.

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 less spicy.

Ribera del Duero

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.

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.

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.