If you like this, try…
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.
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.
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 peppery, spicy character, while moving away from too drying or too tannic and too austere.
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.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less austere.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- Has noticeably less of the peppery, spicy character.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less austere.
Corvina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of the peppery, spicy character.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less austere.
Northern Rhône Syrah
curatedThe model this style follows closely.
- Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
- About as drying or too tannic as the wine you started from.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of the peppery, spicy character.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less austere.
Southern Rhône blend
Both are made from syrah, and both sit in the same style family.
- Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
California Rhône blend
Both are made from syrah.
- Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
Rioja Gran Reserva
Both sit in the same style family.
- Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Zinfandel
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 spicy, and drier.
Corvina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Northern Rhône Syrah
curatedThe model this style follows closely.
Expect: More savoury and mineral, with a longer track record.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Zinfandel
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 spicy, and drier.
Corvina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more sparkling.
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Red Burgundy
Red Burgundy scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Trousseau
Trousseau 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.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more sparkling.
Red Burgundy
Red Burgundy scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Trousseau
Trousseau 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.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
Primitivo di Manduria
Primitivo di Manduria scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Argentine Malbec
Argentine 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 tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Zinfandel
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
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 less spicy, and drier.
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 less spicy.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
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 less spicy.
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.
Mavrud
Mavrud scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and drier.
Petite Sirah
Petite Sirah scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and drier.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Red Burgundy
Red Burgundy scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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 more tannic and structured.
Saperavi
Saperavi scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Areni
Areni scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Primitivo di Manduria
Primitivo di Manduria scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Southern Rhône blend
Both are made from syrah, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
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 less spicy, and less floral.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and stiller.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Tawny Port
Tawny Port scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and stiller.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Sparkling Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more sparkling.
Tawny Port
Tawny Port scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less tannic and softer.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
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 tannic and softer.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more sparkling.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
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 spicy.
Pinotage
Pinotage scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, 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 less spicy, and drier.
Tawny Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Gewürztraminer
Gewürztraminer scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Zinfandel
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 spicy, and drier.
Corvina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
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.
Zinfandel
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 spicy, and drier.
Corvina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
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 less spicy.
Gewürztraminer
Gewürztraminer scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Négrette
Négrette scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
Zinfandel
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 spicy, and drier.
Corvina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Northern Rhône Syrah
curatedThe 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 less spicy.
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.
Chianti Classico Riserva
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
California Rhône blend
Both are made from syrah.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Primitivo di Manduria
Primitivo di Manduria scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
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.
Southern Rhône blend
Both are made from syrah, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
California Rhône blend
Both are made from syrah.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Northern Rhône Syrah
curatedThe model this style follows closely.
Expect: More savoury and mineral, with a longer track record.
Australian Grenache
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.
Northern Rhône Syrah
curatedThe model this style follows closely.
Expect: More savoury and mineral, with a longer track record.
Australian Grenache
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
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 more tannic and structured.
Washington Syrah
Both are made from syrah.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
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 more tannic and structured.
Shiraz
Shiraz scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
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 spicy.
Barossa Shiraz
Barossa Shiraz scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Southern Rhône blend
Both are made from syrah, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Rioja Gran Reserva
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.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Corvina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
California Rhône blend
Both are made from syrah.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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 less spicy, and drier.
Corvina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
California Rhône blend
Both are made from syrah.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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
Amarone della Valpolicella scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Both are made from syrah.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
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 spicy.
Northern Rhône Syrah
curatedThe model this style follows closely.
Expect: More savoury and mineral, with a longer track record.
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.