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Wines like Hawke’s Bay Syrah

Peppery, floral, medium-bodied Syrah made deliberately in the northern Rhône idiom — one of New Zealand’s best-kept secrets. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

← Back to Hawke’s Bay Syrah

Refine

What do you like about Hawke’s Bay 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 floral character The spice The savoury, meaty side

But it’s a bit…

too drying or too tannic too oaky or woody too floral or soapy too peppery too savoury or funky too austere

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 floral character: Rose, violet, elderflower, orange blossom.
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 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.
That it is properly dry: No perceptible sugar at all. Almost all red wine is dry and a good deal of white wine is not, which is why this is a more useful thing to say about a white than about a red.

Looking for something keeping the floral, perfumed side and the savoury, non-fruity character, while moving away from too austere, too drying or too tannic 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.

Tinta Negra

Tinta Negra scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Has noticeably less of the floral, perfumed side.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less peppery.

Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
About as austere as the wine you started from.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less peppery.

Valpolicella Ripasso

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

Has noticeably less of the floral, perfumed side.
Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less peppery.

Red Burgundy

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
About as austere as the wine you started from.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less peppery.

Argentine Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
About as austere as the wine you started from.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less peppery.

Australian Grenache

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

Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
About as austere as the wine you started from.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less peppery.

Touriga Franca

Touriga Franca scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less austere.
About as drying or too tannic as the wine you started from.
Substantially less peppery.

Corvina

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has noticeably less of the floral, perfumed side.
Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
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.

Tinta Negra

Tinta Negra scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Valpolicella Ripasso

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

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

Red Burgundy

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

Tinta Negra

Tinta Negra scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Valpolicella Ripasso

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

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

Red Burgundy

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.

Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Red Burgundy

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cru Beaujolais

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir) scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.

Red Burgundy

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cru Beaujolais

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

English still Pinot Noir

English still Pinot Noir scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Argentine Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Douro red

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

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

Valpolicella Ripasso

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

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

Australian Grenache

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

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

Chilean Carmenère

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

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Touriga Nacional

Touriga Nacional scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Nebbiolo

Nebbiolo scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Petit Verdot

Petit Verdot scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Sagrantino

Sagrantino scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Similar but fresher

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

Red Burgundy

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Oregon Pinot Noir

Oregon Pinot Noir scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Langhe Nebbiolo

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Similar but softer

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

Argentine Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Chilean Carmenère

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

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

Southern Rhône blend

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

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

Grenache

Grenache scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

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

Lambrusco scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Tawny Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 spicy, and less floral.

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Sparkling Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Dornfelder

Dornfelder scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Tinta Barroca

Tinta Barroca scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Rioja Gran Reserva

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Pinotage

Pinotage scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Rioja

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Rioja Reserva

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Similar but more aromatic

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

Nebbiolo

Nebbiolo scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Barolo

Barolo scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Barbaresco

Barbaresco scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Gewürztraminer

Gewürztraminer scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

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.

Red Burgundy

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Tinta Negra

Tinta Negra scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Valpolicella Ripasso

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

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

Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Similar but more floral

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

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Négrette

Négrette scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Frappato

Frappato scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Uco Valley Malbec

Uco Valley Malbec scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Similar but less floral

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

Tinta Negra

Tinta Negra scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Valpolicella Ripasso

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Red Burgundy

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Northern Rhône Syrah

curated

The model this style follows closely.

Expect: More savoury and mineral, with a longer track record.

Rioja Gran Reserva

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.

Barolo

Barolo scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Naoussa Xinomavro

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Argentine Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Zinfandel

Zinfandel scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

California Rhône blend

Both are made from syrah.

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

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.

Australian Grenache

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

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

Washington Syrah

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

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

Southern Rhône blend

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

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

Syrah

Both are made from syrah.

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

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Australian Grenache

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Washington Syrah

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

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

Northern Rhône Syrah

curated

The model this style follows closely.

Expect: More savoury and mineral, with a longer track record.

Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends

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

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

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Both are made from syrah.

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

McLaren Vale Shiraz scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Shiraz

Shiraz scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Barossa Shiraz

Barossa Shiraz scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

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.

Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Red Burgundy

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Argentine Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cru Beaujolais

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Something more adventurous

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

Tinta Negra

Tinta Negra scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Valpolicella Ripasso

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

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

Australian Grenache

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

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

Touriga Franca

Touriga Franca scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

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.

Tinta Negra

Tinta Negra scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Valpolicella Ripasso

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

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

Australian Grenache

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

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

Touriga Franca

Touriga Franca scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

A step up

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Ribera del Duero

Ribera del Duero scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Both are made from syrah.

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

Priorat

Both are made from syrah.

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

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.