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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 keeping the floral, perfumed side, while moving away from too peppery and too oaky or woody.
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.
Australian Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
Dão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
Langhe Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
Cru Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
Douro red
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Substantially less peppery.
- A little less oaky or woody.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Substantially less peppery.
- A little less oaky or woody.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Substantially less peppery.
- A little less oaky or woody.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Substantially less peppery.
- A little less oaky or woody.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
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.
Dão
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.
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.
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.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Dão
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.
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.
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.
Douro red
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
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.
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.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
Beaujolais
Beaujolais scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, 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.
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.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
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 less floral.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
Douro red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more herbal and green.
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.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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 less floral, and more herbal and green.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more floral.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
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.
Graciano
Graciano scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Etna Rosso
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.
Nerello Mascalese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more herbal and green.
Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
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 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 floral.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more floral.
Touriga Franca
Touriga Franca scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more oaky.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
Saperavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
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.
Dão
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 earthier.
Langhe Nebbiolo
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 earthier.
Cru Beaujolais
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 earthier.
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 floral.
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 floral.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from syrah.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less floral.
Bolgheri
Both are made from syrah.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, 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 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 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.
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 aromatic.
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 less floral.
Dão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more aromatic.
Etna Rosso
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
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 oaky.
Négrette
Négrette scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more floral.
Frappato
Frappato scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more floral.
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 floral.
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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
Grenache
Grenache scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
Etna Rosso
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
Bierzo Mencía
Bierzo Mencía scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
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.
Northern Rhône Syrah
curatedThe model this style follows closely.
Expect: More savoury and mineral, with a longer track record.
Naoussa Xinomavro
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more oaky.
Xinomavro
Xinomavro scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more oaky.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more floral.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from syrah.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
California Pinot Noir
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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.
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.
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 less floral.
Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends
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 less floral, and more herbal and green.
Languedoc red
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 less floral, and more herbal and green.
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.
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.
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 less floral.
Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends
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 less floral, and more herbal and green.
Northern Rhône Syrah
curatedThe model this style follows closely.
Expect: More savoury and mineral, with a longer track record.
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 less floral, and more herbal and green.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
McLaren Vale Shiraz scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from syrah.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
Priorat
Both are made from syrah.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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.
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.
Argentine Malbec
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.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
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.
Dão
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.
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.
Douro red
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
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.
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.
Dão
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.
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.
Douro red
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more herbal and green.
Priorat
Both are made from syrah.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
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 more oaky.
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 floral.
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.