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.

← Back to Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends

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.

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 peppery, spicy character, the herbal, green edge and the savoury, non-fruity character, while moving away from too green or grassy.

You said you like the herbal, green edge and that it is too green or grassy. Both are about herbal / green character, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.

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.

Southern Rhône blend

curated

The same GSM blending logic in a Mediterranean climate.

Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
Keeps the herbal, green edge.
Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
About as green or grassy as the wine you started from.

Languedoc red

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 peppery, spicy character.
Keeps the herbal, green edge.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
About as green or grassy as the wine you started from.

Northern Rhône Syrah

curated

The savoury, peppery idiom this movement consciously follows.

Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
Has noticeably less of the herbal, green edge.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less green or grassy.

New Zealand Pinot Noir

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

Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less green or grassy.

Bekaa Valley Red

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

Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
Has noticeably less of the herbal, green edge.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less green or grassy.

California Rhône blend

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

Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Substantially less green or grassy.

Washington Syrah

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

Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
Has noticeably less of the herbal, green edge.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less green or grassy.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
Keeps the herbal, green edge.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
About as green or grassy as the wine you started from.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Southern Rhône blend

curated

The same GSM blending logic in a Mediterranean climate.

Expect: Riper and softer, with more red fruit.

Languedoc red

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 herbal and green, and broader and softer.

Northern Rhône Syrah

curated

The savoury, peppery idiom this movement consciously follows.

Expect: More mineral and restrained, at higher prices.

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 spicy.

Different grape, similar feel

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

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 spicy.

Red Bordeaux

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

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

Sangiovese

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

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

Mavrud

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.

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

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Red Burgundy

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Blaufränkisch

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Trousseau

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Mondeuse Noire

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

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

Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Trousseau

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and fruitier.

Priorat

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

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Dalmatian Plavac Mali

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but less tannic

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

Southern Rhône blend

curated

The same GSM blending logic in a Mediterranean climate.

Expect: Riper and softer, with more red fruit.

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 spicy.

California Rhône blend

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 fruitier.

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 less spicy.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Mavrud

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.

Priorat

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

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

Aglianico

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Brunello di Montalcino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fresher

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

Sangiovese

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

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

Rosso di Montalcino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Chianti

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 restrained in fruit.

Red Burgundy

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but softer

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

Southern Rhône blend

curated

The same GSM blending logic in a Mediterranean climate.

Expect: Riper and softer, with more red fruit.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and fruitier.

Languedoc red

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 herbal and green, and leaner and more cutting.

California Rhône blend

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 fruitier.

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 riper and less green.

Lambrusco

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

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

Languedoc red

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 herbal and green.

Similar but sweeter

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

Tawny Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Saperavi

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Vintage Port

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

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

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.

Trincadeira

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Broad-leaved Melnik

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cornalin

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Nero di Troia

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Super Tuscan

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

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

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 riper and less green, and more savoury.

Bolgheri

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

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

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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.

Syrah

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and softer and rounder.

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Barolo

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

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

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.

Languedoc red

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 herbal and green, and more aromatic.

Southern Rhône blend

curated

The same GSM blending logic in a Mediterranean climate.

Expect: Riper and softer, with more red fruit.

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 spicy.

Bekaa Valley Red

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

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

Washington Syrah

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

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

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 riper and less green, and spicier.

Northern Rhône Syrah

curated

The 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 both sit in the same style family.

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

Northern Rhône Syrah

curated

The savoury, peppery idiom this movement consciously follows.

Expect: More mineral and restrained, at higher prices.

Taurasi

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

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

Barolo

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

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

Similar but fruitier

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

California Rhône blend

Both are made from grenache, 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.

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 spicy.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more herbal and green.

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.

Languedoc red

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 herbal and green, 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.

Bekaa Valley Red

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.

California Rhône blend

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 fruitier.

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Bekaa Valley Red

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and softer and rounder.

Washington Syrah

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and softer and rounder.

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 riper and less green, and spicier.

Northern Rhône Syrah

curated

The savoury, peppery idiom this movement consciously follows.

Expect: More mineral and restrained, at higher prices.

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more herbal and green.

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.

Super Tuscan

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

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

Both are made from grenache.

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

Southern Rhône blend

curated

The same GSM blending logic in a Mediterranean climate.

Expect: Riper and softer, with more red fruit.

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 spicy.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and fruitier.

Red Bordeaux

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

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

Something more adventurous

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

Languedoc red

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 herbal and green, and broader and softer.

Bekaa Valley Red

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.

California Rhône blend

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 fruitier.

Washington Syrah

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

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

Languedoc red

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 herbal and green, and broader and softer.

Bekaa Valley Red

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.

California Rhône blend

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 fruitier.

Washington Syrah

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

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

A step up

The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and fruitier.

Priorat

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

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Ribera del Duero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.