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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 and the savoury, non-fruity character.
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.
Langhe Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Douro red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Dão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Northern Rhône Syrah
curatedThe model this style follows closely.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Barbaresco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Washington Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
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.
Douro red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and less spicy.
Dão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less spicy.
Northern Rhône Syrah
curatedThe model this style follows closely.
Expect: More savoury and mineral, with a longer track record.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
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.
Douro red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and less spicy.
Dão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less spicy.
Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and earthier.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.
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.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
Dão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, 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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.
Red Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Douro red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and less spicy.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more floral.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Australian Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more herbal and green.
English still Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less floral.
Chilean Carmenère
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and 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.
Barbaresco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less spicy.
Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and earthier.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
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.
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
Oregon Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
Etna Rosso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
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 more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and earthier.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less floral.
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.
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 more fruit-driven, and less floral.
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.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, 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 floral, and more fruit-driven.
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 fruit-driven, and more floral.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and sweeter.
Sagrantino
Sagrantino scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Tawny Port
Tawny Port scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
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.
Dão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less spicy.
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 more oaky.
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 more fruit-driven, and less spicy.
Etna Rosso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Ribera del Duero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Rioja
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Rioja Reserva
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Tempranillo
Tempranillo scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more aromatic.
Barbaresco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less spicy.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Alsace Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, 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.
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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more aromatic.
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 more aromatic.
Douro red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and earthier.
Northern Rhône Syrah
curatedThe model this style follows closely.
Expect: More savoury and mineral, with a longer track record.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Uco Valley Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more fruit-driven.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more fruit-driven.
Négrette
Négrette scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more floral.
Frappato
Frappato scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, 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 earthier.
Northern Rhône Syrah
curatedThe model this style follows closely.
Expect: More savoury and mineral, with a longer track record.
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Northern Rhône Syrah
curatedThe model this style follows closely.
Expect: More savoury and mineral, with a longer track record.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Naoussa Xinomavro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Xinomavro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
New Zealand Pinot Noir
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from syrah.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and earthier.
Northern Rhône Syrah
curatedThe model this style follows closely.
Expect: More savoury and mineral, with a longer track record.
Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and earthier.
Australian Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, 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.
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 earthier.
Northern Rhône Syrah
curatedThe model this style follows closely.
Expect: More savoury and mineral, with a longer track record.
Australian Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and softer and rounder.
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.
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 less floral, and fruitier.
Priorat
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and earthier.
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 fruitier.
Shiraz
Shiraz scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more fruit-driven.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and earthier.
Barbaresco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less spicy.
Northern Rhône Syrah
curatedThe model this style follows closely.
Expect: More savoury and mineral, with a longer track record.
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 more fruit-driven, and less spicy.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
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.
Douro red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and less spicy.
Dão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less spicy.
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 earthier.
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.
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.
Douro red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and less spicy.
Dão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less spicy.
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 earthier.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Priorat
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and earthier.
Ribera del Duero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Both are made from syrah.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
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 fruitier.
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.