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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.

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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.

I like…

The firm, grippy structure The herbal, green side The spice The earthy, mineral side The savoury, meaty side

But it’s a bit…

too drying or too tannic too plain or too simple too green or grassy too peppery too earthy or musty too savoury or funky

Clear all

What these words mean

The firm, grippy structure: High tannin — the drying grip on your gums, like over-brewed tea. It gives a red something to hold on to with rich food, and it is what lets a wine age.
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 savoury, non-fruity character, while moving away from too drying or too tannic and too peppery.

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.

Chilean Carmenère

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less peppery.

Southern Rhône blend

curated

The same GSM blending logic in a Mediterranean climate.

Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
About as peppery as the wine you started from.

Australian Pinot Noir

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

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less peppery.

Carmenère

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

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less peppery.

New Zealand Pinot Noir

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less peppery.

Rioja Crianza

Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less peppery.

Pinot Noir

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

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less peppery.

Areni

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

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less peppery.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.

Chilean Carmenère

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and broader and softer.

Southern Rhône blend

curated

The same GSM blending logic in a Mediterranean climate.

Expect: Riper and softer, with more red fruit.

Australian Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.

Carmenère

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and softer and rounder.

Different grape, similar feel

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

Chilean Carmenère

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and broader and softer.

Australian Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.

Carmenère

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and softer and rounder.

New Zealand 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 fruitier, and more oaky.

Change the structure

Same idea, different weight, grip or freshness.

Similar but lighter

Keeps the character but reduces weight, alcohol and density in the mouth.

Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and riper and less green.

Red Burgundy

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and riper and less green.

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and riper and less green.

Trousseau

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

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

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

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and riper and less green.

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 more fruit-driven.

Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and riper and less green.

Loire Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 fruit-driven, and fruitier.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

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

Ribera del Duero

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.

Douro red

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and riper and less green.

Similar but less tannic

For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.

Chilean Carmenère

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and broader and softer.

Rioja Crianza

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 fruit-driven, and riper and less green.

Carmenère

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and softer and rounder.

New Zealand 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 fruitier, and more oaky.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Priorat

Both are made from grenache.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and riper and less green.

Aglianico

Aglianico scores closest to Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more restrained in fruit.

Brunello di Montalcino

Brunello di Montalcino scores closest to Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more savoury.

Nebbiolo

Nebbiolo scores closest to Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more restrained in fruit.

Similar but fresher

Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.

Chianti

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 restrained in fruit.

Red Burgundy

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and riper and less green.

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 spicy, and riper and less green.

Oregon Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and riper and less green.

Similar but softer

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

Chilean Carmenère

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and leaner and more cutting.

Southern Rhône blend

curated

The same GSM blending logic in a Mediterranean climate.

Expect: Riper and softer, with more red fruit.

Carmenère

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and leaner and more cutting.

Grenache

Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

The sparkling version

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

Sparkling Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Lambrusco

Lambrusco scores closest to Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Méthode Cap Classique

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.

Similar but sweeter

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

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.

Valpolicella Ripasso

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 riper and less green.

Vin Doux Naturel

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

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

Corvina

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

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

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.

Prokupac

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

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

Trousseau

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

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

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.

Castelão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Chilean Carmenère

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less oaky.

Carmenère

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less oaky.

New Zealand 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 fruitier, and less oaky.

Rioja Crianza

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 fruit-driven, and riper and less green.

Similar but more aromatic

More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.

Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and riper and less green.

Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Morgon

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 fruit-driven.

Syrah

Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and spicier.

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.

Chilean Carmenère

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Australian Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.

Carmenère

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

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

New Zealand 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 fruitier, and more aromatic.

Similar but more floral

Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.

Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and riper and less green.

Red Burgundy

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and riper and less green.

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 spicy, and riper and less green.

Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 more restrained in fruit.

Chianti Classico Riserva

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less spicy.

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione scores closest to Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less spicy.

Taurasi

Taurasi scores closest to Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more savoury.

Similar but fruitier

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

California 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 fruitier, and more fruit-driven.

New Zealand 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 fruitier, and more oaky.

Argentine Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barbera d’Alba

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, 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 Crianza

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 fruit-driven, and riper and less green.

Grenache

Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Southern Rhône blend

curated

The same GSM blending logic in a Mediterranean climate.

Expect: Riper and softer, with more red fruit.

Australian Grenache

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 fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Rioja Crianza

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 fruit-driven, and riper and less green.

País

Both are made from cinsault.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.

Cinsault

Both are made from cinsault.

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

Australian Grenache

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 fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Same grape, warmer climate

Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fruitier.

Barossa Shiraz

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

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

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fruitier.

Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, 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.

New Zealand 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 fruitier, and more oaky.

Rioja Crianza

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 fruit-driven, and riper and less green.

Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and riper and less green.

Grenache

Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Something more adventurous

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

Chilean Carmenère

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and broader and softer.

Australian Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.

Carmenère

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and softer and rounder.

Areni

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, 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.

Chilean Carmenère

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and broader and softer.

Australian Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.

Carmenère

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and softer and rounder.

Areni

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, 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 more tannic and structured, and more oaky.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and spicier.

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 riper and less green.

Amarone della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and spicier.

How these are chosen

Each suggestion is scored across sixteen taste dimensions, weighted so that structure matters more than flavour, and adjusted for whether the wine actually moves in the direction you asked for. Curated links from an editor carry extra weight — but only when the editor tagged them for this direction. Nothing here is a black box; see the taste model for the full method.