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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 moving away from too austere, too oaky or woody 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.

Valpolicella Ripasso

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

Substantially less austere.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less peppery.

Touriga Nacional

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

Substantially less austere.
A little less oaky or woody.
Substantially less peppery.

Saperavi

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Substantially less austere.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less peppery.

Tinto Cão

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

Substantially less austere.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less peppery.

Tinta Barroca

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

Substantially less austere.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less peppery.

Tinta Negra

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

Substantially less austere.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less peppery.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

Substantially less austere.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less peppery.

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Substantially less austere.
A little less oaky or woody.
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.

Valpolicella Ripasso

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

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

Touriga Nacional

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

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

Saperavi

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Tinto Cão

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

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

Valpolicella Ripasso

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

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

Touriga Nacional

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

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

Saperavi

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Tinto Cão

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

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

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.

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 oaky.

Muscat Bailey A

Muscat Bailey A scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Tinto Cão

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

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

Dornfelder

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

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

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.

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 oaky.

Muscat Bailey A

Muscat Bailey A scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Grolleau

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

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

Mondeuse Noire

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

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Touriga Nacional

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

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Primitivo di Manduria

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more herbal and green.

Similar but less tannic

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

Valpolicella Ripasso

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

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

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 oaky.

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 oaky.

Southern 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 drier, and more herbal and green.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Touriga Nacional

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

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

Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

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

Priorat

Both are made from syrah.

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

Similar but fresher

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

Saperavi

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Mondeuse Noire

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

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

Langhe Nebbiolo

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Rosso di Montalcino

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.

Primitivo di Manduria

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 oaky.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more herbal and green.

Languedoc 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 drier, and more herbal and green.

The sparkling version

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

Sparkling Shiraz

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

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

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 oaky.

Lambrusco

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

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

Vouvray

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Sparkling Shiraz

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

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

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Valpolicella Ripasso

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

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

Tinto Cão

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

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

Tinta Barroca

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

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

Saperavi

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

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Pinotage

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

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

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Barossa Shiraz

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

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

California Cabernet Sauvignon

California Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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.

Nebbiolo

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

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

Barolo

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

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

Gewürztraminer

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

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

Barbaresco

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.

Trebbiano Toscano

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

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

Sémillon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Silvaner

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

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

Valpolicella Ripasso

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and 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

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

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

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.

Valpolicella Ripasso

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

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

Saperavi

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Tinto Cão

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

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

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 oaky.

Similar but more savoury

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

Barolo

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

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

Taurasi

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

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

Northern Rhône Syrah

curated

The model this style follows closely.

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

Brunello di Montalcino

Brunello di Montalcino scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Touriga Nacional

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

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

Primitivo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Zinfandel

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Primitivo di Manduria

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.

Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends

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 drier, and more herbal and green.

Languedoc 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 drier, and more herbal and green.

Southern 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 drier, and more herbal and green.

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 less spicy.

Same grape, cooler climate

Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower 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.

Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends

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 drier, and more herbal and green.

Australian Grenache

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Montsant

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

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

Washington Syrah

Both are made from syrah.

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

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more herbal and green.

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 more oaky.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from syrah.

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

Shiraz

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

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

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.

Southern 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 drier, and more herbal and green.

Amarone della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Primitivo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Zinfandel

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Something more adventurous

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

Valpolicella Ripasso

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

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

Touriga Nacional

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

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

Saperavi

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Tinto Cão

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

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

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.

Valpolicella Ripasso

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

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

Touriga Nacional

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

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

Saperavi

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Tinto Cão

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

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

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 drier, and more oaky.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more herbal and green.

Priorat

Both are made from syrah.

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

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 more oaky.

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.