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 moving away from 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.
Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less peppery.
Languedoc red
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less peppery.
Australian Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less peppery.
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.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less peppery.
Valais Cornalin
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less peppery.
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.
- Substantially less peppery.
Saperavi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less peppery.
Australian Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially 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.
Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends
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 herbal and green, and earthier.
Languedoc 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 more herbal and green, and less floral.
Australian Grenache
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 more fruit-driven.
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 more herbal and green, and less floral.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Valais Cornalin
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
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 less floral.
Saperavi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
Australian Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
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.
Trousseau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Mondeuse Noire
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
Australian Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
Cru Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
Cru Beaujolais
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
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 less spicy, and lighter.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
Cerasuolo di Vittoria scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and earthier.
Priorat
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Australian Grenache
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 more fruit-driven.
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 more herbal and green, and less floral.
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 less floral.
Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more herbal and green.
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.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
Petit Verdot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
Brunello di Montalcino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Mondeuse Noire
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
Langhe Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
Rosso di Montalcino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
Saperavi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and earthier.
Languedoc 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 more herbal and green, and less floral.
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 more herbal and green, and less floral.
Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, 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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
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.
Franciacorta
Franciacorta scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more sparkling.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
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 less floral.
Saperavi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
Ruby Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and sweeter.
Vintage Port
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less floral.
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.
Australian Grenache
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 more fruit-driven.
Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends
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 herbal and green, and earthier.
Languedoc 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 more herbal and green, and less floral.
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 less floral.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
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 less spicy.
Barossa Shiraz
Barossa Shiraz scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from syrah.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
Bolgheri
Both are made from syrah.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more oaky.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
Vernaccia di San Gimignano scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.
Pinot Blanc
Pinot Blanc scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.
Franken Silvaner
Franken Silvaner scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.
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 oaky, 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 less oaky.
Frappato
Frappato scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Uco Valley Malbec
Uco Valley Malbec scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more oaky.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Areni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
Australian Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
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.
Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more herbal and green.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
Taurasi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
Brunello di Montalcino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
Northern Rhône Syrah
curatedThe model this style follows closely.
Expect: More savoury and mineral, with a longer track record.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and earthier.
California Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
California Rhône blend
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, 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.
Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends
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 herbal and green, and earthier.
Languedoc 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 more herbal and green, and less floral.
Australian Grenache
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 more fruit-driven.
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 more herbal and green, and less floral.
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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and earthier.
Australian Grenache
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 softer and rounder.
Montsant
Both are made from syrah, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and softer and rounder.
Washington Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and earthier.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and earthier.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
Priorat
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, 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.
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 more herbal and green, and less floral.
Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more herbal and green.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and earthier.
Rioja Crianza
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends
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 herbal and green, and earthier.
Languedoc 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 more herbal and green, and less floral.
Australian Grenache
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 more fruit-driven.
Valais Cornalin
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
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.
Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends
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 herbal and green, and earthier.
Languedoc 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 more herbal and green, and less floral.
Australian Grenache
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 more fruit-driven.
Valais Cornalin
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
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.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and earthier.
Priorat
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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 more oaky, and less floral.
Ribera del Duero
Ribera del Duero scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
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.