If you like this, try…
Wines like Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends
Low-intervention Syrah and GSM blends from old dry-farmed Swartland vines — the centre of South Africa’s new-wave movement. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends?
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.
- That it is not oaky
- No barrel character — just the fruit and the acidity. Chablis and Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc are the reference points.
- The herbal, green side
- Grass, blackcurrant leaf, green pepper, mint. It divides people more sharply than almost any other character.
- 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 earthy, mineral side
- Forest floor, wet stone, mushroom, damp earth. Widely described and much less well explained than wine writing implies — the sensation is real, the causal story usually is not.
- 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.
Looking for something keeping the firm tannic structure and the savoury, non-fruity character, while moving away from too earthy or musty and too plain or too simple.
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.
Rioja
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Rioja Reserva
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Northern Rhône Syrah
curatedThe savoury, peppery idiom this movement consciously follows.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- About as earthy or musty as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Rioja
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and riper and less green.
Rioja Reserva
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and riper and less green.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and riper and less green.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and riper and less green.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and riper and less green.
Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less 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.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less tannic and softer.
Blaufränkisch
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less oaky.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less oaky.
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.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less tannic and softer.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less oaky.
Cru Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less tannic and softer.
Loire Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and leaner and more cutting.
Barossa Shiraz
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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 less oaky.
Rioja Gran Reserva
Both are made from grenache, 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 earthier.
Rioja Crianza
Both are made from grenache, 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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less oaky.
Madiran
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less oaky.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less oaky.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less oaky.
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 less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
Baga
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less oaky.
Bairrada Baga
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less oaky.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Barossa Shiraz
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and riper and less green.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
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 Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Rioja
Both are made from grenache, 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 restrained in fruit.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and riper and less green.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less oaky.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less oaky.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less oaky.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but less oaky
One of the commonest requests in wine. Strips oak influence while holding grape character and weight.
Cornalin
Cornalin scores closest to Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Nero di Troia
Nero di Troia scores closest to Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Bobal
Bobal scores closest to Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Refosco
Refosco scores closest to Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Barossa Shiraz
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and riper and less green.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less oaky.
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.
Rioja
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more aromatic.
Rioja Reserva
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more aromatic.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more aromatic.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Hawke’s Bay Syrah
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less oaky.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Northern Rhône Syrah
curatedThe savoury, peppery idiom this movement consciously follows.
Expect: More mineral and restrained, at higher prices.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Rioja Gran Reserva
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and earthier.
Northern Rhône Syrah
curatedThe savoury, peppery idiom this movement consciously follows.
Expect: More mineral and restrained, at higher prices.
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 earthier.
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.
Bolgheri
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fruitier.
Barossa Shiraz
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fruitier.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fruitier.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, 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.
Rioja
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and riper and less green.
Rioja Reserva
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and riper and less green.
Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Hawke’s Bay Syrah
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less oaky.
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.
Rioja
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and riper and less green.
Rioja Reserva
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and riper and less green.
Hawke’s Bay Syrah
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less oaky.
Bekaa Valley Red
Both are made from cinsault, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and earthier.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Barossa Shiraz
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Bolgheri
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fruitier.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less 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.
Rioja
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and riper and less green.
Rioja Reserva
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and riper and less green.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and riper and less green.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and riper and less green.
Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Hawke’s Bay Syrah
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less oaky.
Fetească Neagră
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
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.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and riper and less green.
Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Hawke’s Bay Syrah
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less oaky.
Fetească Neagră
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
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 riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less oaky.
Priorat
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less oaky.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and earthier.
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.