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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.
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 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.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less austere.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less austere.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less austere.
Sagrantino
Sagrantino scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less austere.
Saperavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less austere.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less austere.
Tinto Cão
Tinto Cão scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less austere.
Tinta Barroca
Tinta Barroca scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less austere.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fuller and richer.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, 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 drier, and less spicy.
Sagrantino
Sagrantino scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, 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.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fuller and richer.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, 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 drier, and less spicy.
Sagrantino
Sagrantino scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more sparkling.
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.
Grolleau
Grolleau 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 more sparkling.
Grolleau
Grolleau scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Dornfelder
Dornfelder scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
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.
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 less spicy, and more tannic and structured.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
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.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
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 less spicy, and fuller and richer.
Sagrantino
Sagrantino scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
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 less spicy.
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.
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 less oaky.
Blaufränkisch
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
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 less floral.
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.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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.
Vouvray
Vouvray scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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 more sparkling.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
Sparkling Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more sparkling.
Tinta Barroca
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.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
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
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more sparkling.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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 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.
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.
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 less spicy.
Barolo
Barolo scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Gewürztraminer
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more aromatic.
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.
Sémillon
Sémillon scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.
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 tannic and softer.
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.
Sagrantino
Sagrantino scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more aromatic.
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 less spicy, and fuller and richer.
Gewürztraminer
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and softer and rounder.
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.
Négrette
Négrette 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.
Sagrantino
Sagrantino scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
Saperavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Rioja Gran Reserva
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Barolo
Barolo scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Taurasi
Taurasi 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.
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 less spicy, and fuller and richer.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
Washington Syrah
Both are made from syrah.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.
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 herbal and green.
Languedoc red
Both are made from syrah, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more herbal and green.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from syrah.
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.
Washington Syrah
Both are made from syrah.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.
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 herbal and green.
Bekaa Valley Red
Both are made from syrah.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.
Australian Grenache
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
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 herbal and green.
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.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
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.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fuller and richer.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, 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 drier, and less spicy.
Sagrantino
Sagrantino scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fuller and richer.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, 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 drier, and less spicy.
Sagrantino
Sagrantino scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Priorat
Both are made from syrah.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
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.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Both are made from syrah.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more herbal and green.
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.