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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 oaky or woody, too savoury or funky, too drying or too tannic, too peppery 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.

Valpolicella Ripasso

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

Substantially less oaky or woody.
A little less savoury or funky.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less austere.

Southern Rhône blend

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

Substantially less oaky or woody.
A little less savoury or funky.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less peppery.
About as austere as the wine you started from.

Primitivo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

A little less oaky or woody.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less austere.

Zinfandel

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

About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less austere.

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less austere.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less austere.

Corvina

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

A little less oaky or woody.
A little less savoury or funky.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less austere.

Australian Grenache

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

Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less peppery.
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.

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.

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 restrained in fruit.

Primitivo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Zinfandel

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more 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

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.

Primitivo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Zinfandel

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

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

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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.

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.

Rondo

Rondo 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

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cru Beaujolais

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.

Loire Cabernet Franc

Loire Cabernet Franc scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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 oaky.

Primitivo

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 tannic and structured.

Amarone della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but less tannic

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

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.

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Argentine Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Southern Rhône blend

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 drier, and more restrained in fruit.

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 oaky.

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.

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.

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.

Similar but fresher

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

Loire Cabernet Franc

Loire Cabernet Franc scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Valpolicella

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

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

Barbera d’Asti

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Barbera

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 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 restrained in fruit.

Primitivo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 fruit-driven, and more oaky.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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.

English sparkling rosé

English sparkling rosé scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

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 more fruit-driven, and more oaky.

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Ruby Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, 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.

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.

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Southern Rhône blend

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 drier, and more restrained in fruit.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

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.

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.

Pinotage

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

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

Similar but more aromatic

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

Gewürztraminer

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Condrieu

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

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

Viognier

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

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

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.

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 restrained in fruit.

Primitivo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Zinfandel

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

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

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 oaky.

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

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.

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 restrained in fruit.

Primitivo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Zinfandel

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

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

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 more savoury, and drier.

Chianti Classico Riserva

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Barolo

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

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Primitivo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Zinfandel

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

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

California Pinot Noir

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

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

California Rhône blend

Both are made from syrah, and 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.

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 restrained in fruit.

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.

California Rhône blend

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

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

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

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.

Same grape, cooler climate

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

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.

Montsant

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

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

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 restrained in fruit.

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.

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 tannic and structured.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

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.

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 restrained in fruit.

Primitivo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Zinfandel

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

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

Grenache

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Corvina

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more 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

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.

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Corvina

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 tannic and structured.

Priorat

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 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.