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 keeping the savoury, non-fruity character and the firm tannic structure.
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.
Northern Rhône Syrah
curatedThe model this style follows closely.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
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.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Washington Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
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.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Bekaa Valley Red
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Jumilla Monastrell
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Langhe Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Northern Rhône Syrah
curatedThe 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 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.
Washington Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and less spicy.
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.
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.
Rosso di Montalcino
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.
Fetească Neagră
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and earthier.
Mavrud
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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.
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.
Dolcetto
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.
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.
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 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.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, 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 tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Cru Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more fruit-driven.
Mondeuse Noire
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less oaky.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Amarone della Valpolicella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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 fruitier, and more herbal and green.
Dalmatian Plavac Mali
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Douro red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and less spicy.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Chilean Carmenère
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more herbal and green.
Carmenère
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more herbal and green.
New Zealand Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
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 tannic and softer, and more fruit-driven.
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 tannic and structured, and earthier.
Mavrud
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and earthier.
Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less spicy.
Madiran
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less spicy.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Chianti Classico
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.
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 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 earthier.
Nerello Mascalese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less spicy.
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 fruitier, and more herbal and green.
Dalmatian Plavac Mali
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Jumilla Monastrell
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and less floral.
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.
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 more fruit-driven, and less tannic and softer.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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 more fruit-driven, and less tannic and softer.
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 stiller, and more herbal and green.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Amarone della Valpolicella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and sweeter.
Saperavi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less spicy.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, 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.
Bobal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.
Broad-leaved Melnik
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and less floral.
Cornalin
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 more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less floral.
Rioja
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 oaky.
Rioja Reserva
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 oaky.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less oaky.
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 tannic and structured, and more restrained in fruit.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more restrained in fruit.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more savoury.
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.
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.
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 aromatic, and more herbal and green.
Washington Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, 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 aromatic, and more herbal and green.
Bekaa Valley Red
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and earthier.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Uco Valley Malbec
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 tannic and structured, 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 less tannic and softer.
Frappato
Frappato scores closest to Hawke’s Bay Syrah across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Aglianico
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more restrained in fruit.
Amarone della Valpolicella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Bekaa Valley Red
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.
Blaufränkisch
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less floral.
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.
Chianti Classico Riserva
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.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less spicy.
Naoussa Xinomavro
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more tannic and structured.
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 fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Bolgheri
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more herbal and green.
Amarone della Valpolicella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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.
Washington Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and less spicy.
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.
Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, 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.
Washington Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and softer and rounder.
Bekaa Valley Red
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and softer and rounder.
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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more herbal and green.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Barossa Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
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.
Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and less floral.
Northern Rhône Syrah
curatedThe model this style follows closely.
Expect: More savoury and mineral, with a longer track record.
Rioja
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 floral.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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.
Washington Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and less spicy.
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.
Bekaa Valley Red
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, 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.
Washington Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and less spicy.
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.
Bekaa Valley Red
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and less floral.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more herbal and green.
Priorat
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and earthier.
Amarone della Valpolicella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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.