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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 keeping the savoury, non-fruity character, the floral, perfumed side and the peppery, spicy character, while moving away from too peppery and too austere.

You said you like the peppery, spicy character and that it is too peppery. Both are about spice, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.

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

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
Has noticeably less of the peppery, spicy character.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less austere.

Washington Syrah

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

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
Substantially less peppery.
About as austere as the wine you started from.

Northern Rhône Syrah

curated

The model this style follows closely.

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
About as peppery as the wine you started from.
About as austere as the wine you started from.

Douro red

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
Has noticeably less of the peppery, spicy character.
Substantially less peppery.
About as austere as the wine you started from.

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
Has noticeably less of the peppery, spicy character.
Substantially less peppery.
About as austere as the wine you started from.

Syrah

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

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Has noticeably less of the floral, perfumed side.
Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
Substantially less peppery.
About as austere as the wine you started from.

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
Has noticeably less of the peppery, spicy character.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less austere.

Petit Verdot

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
Has noticeably less of the peppery, spicy character.
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.

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Washington Syrah

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

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

Northern Rhône Syrah

curated

The model this style follows closely.

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

Douro red

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Douro red

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

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.

Cru Beaujolais

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

Spätburgunder (German 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 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.

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.

Cru Beaujolais

Both sit in the same style family.

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.

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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 more fruit-driven.

Douro red

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.

Argentine Malbec

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

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

Valpolicella Ripasso

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Australian Grenache

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Southern Rhône blend

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

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Petit Verdot

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barolo

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

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

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.

Langhe Nebbiolo

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Saperavi

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but softer

Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.

Argentine Malbec

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

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

Syrah

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

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

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Both are made from syrah.

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

Dalmatian Plavac Mali

Dalmatian Plavac Mali scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

The sparkling version

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

Sparkling Shiraz

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

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

Lambrusco

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

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

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 floral.

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Touriga Nacional

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

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

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Tawny Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less floral.

Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, 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.

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 floral.

Saperavi

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cornalin

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

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

Broad-leaved Melnik

Broad-leaved Melnik scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

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 less floral, and drier.

Rioja

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Rioja Reserva

Both sit in the same style family.

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

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 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 savoury.

Barbaresco

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

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

Gewürztraminer

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Washington Syrah

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

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

Northern Rhône Syrah

curated

The model this style follows closely.

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

Saperavi

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

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

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

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 floral, and more fruit-driven.

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.

Frappato

Frappato 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.

Washington Syrah

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

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

Syrah

Both are made from syrah.

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

Northern Rhône Syrah

curated

The model this style follows closely.

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

Saperavi

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

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

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.

Barolo

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

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

Rioja Gran Reserva

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Naoussa Xinomavro

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Argentine Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.

Amarone della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Zinfandel

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

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, 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, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Syrah

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

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

Northern Rhône Syrah

curated

The model this style follows closely.

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

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 less floral.

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Washington Syrah

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

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

Northern Rhône Syrah

curated

The model this style follows closely.

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

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 less floral.

Australian Grenache

Both sit in the same style family.

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

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 less floral.

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 floral.

Shiraz

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

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

Barossa Shiraz

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

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

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.

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Syrah

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

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

Northern Rhône Syrah

curated

The model this style follows closely.

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Something more adventurous

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

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Washington Syrah

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

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

Douro red

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Washington Syrah

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

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

Douro red

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 less floral, and drier.

Priorat

Both are made from syrah.

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

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Both are made from syrah.

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

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.