If you like this, try…
Wines like Sparkling Shiraz
An Australian speciality: dark, fizzy, off-dry red — traditionally drunk with Christmas dinner in a southern-hemisphere summer. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Sparkling Shiraz?
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 rich dark fruit
- Blackberry, plum, black cherry — fruit that tastes ripe and generous rather than tart. It comes from warm-climate ripening and it is what most people mean when they call a red "fruity".
- How smooth and soft it is
- Low tannin. Tannin is the drying, gum-gripping sensation in red wine — like strong tea. A smooth red has little of it.
- The bubbles
- Carbonation, from a light prickle to a full sparkling mousse.
- 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 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 touch of sweetness
- Actual sugar left in the wine, which is a different thing from tasting fruity. A wine can smell of ripe peach and be completely dry.
Looking for something moving away from too jammy or sweet-tasting.
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.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from shiraz, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Rioja Crianza
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Corvina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Nero d’Avola
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Valpolicella Ripasso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Agiorgitiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Fetească Neagră
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less oaky.
Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from shiraz, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and drier.
Rioja Crianza
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and drier.
Corvina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and drier.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less oaky.
Rioja Crianza
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and drier.
Corvina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and drier.
Nero d’Avola
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and drier.
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.
Lambrusco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less oaky.
Trousseau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and drier.
País
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and stiller.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and drier.
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.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less oaky.
Trousseau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and drier.
English still Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and stiller.
Cru Beaujolais
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and drier.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Priorat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and stiller.
Super Tuscan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and drier.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and drier.
Uruguayan Tannat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and stiller.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Tawny Port
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and stiller.
Franciacorta
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less tannic and softer.
Méthode Cap Classique
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less tannic and softer.
California traditional-method sparkling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from shiraz, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and drier.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and drier.
Mavrud
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and stiller.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and stiller.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Areni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and drier.
Barbera d’Asti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and drier.
Blaufränkisch
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and drier.
Barbera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and drier.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Agiorgitiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and drier.
Alentejo red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and drier.
Nemea Agiorgitiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and drier.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and drier.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
English sparkling rosé
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less spicy.
Crémant
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less tannic and softer.
Franciacorta
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less tannic and softer.
Méthode Cap Classique
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less tannic and softer.
The still version
Moves from sparkling to still while keeping the grape and flavour family intact.
Agiorgitiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
Alentejo red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
Areni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more floral.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Agiorgitiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and drier.
Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from shiraz, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and drier.
Nero d’Avola
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and drier.
Rioja Crianza
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and drier.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Tawny Port
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and stiller.
Late Bottled Vintage Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stiller.
Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stiller.
Vin Doux Naturel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stiller.
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.
Lambrusco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fresher.
Nero di Troia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and drier.
Prokupac
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and drier.
Trousseau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and drier.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Tawny Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and stiller.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and less oaky.
Super Tuscan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and drier.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more savoury.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and drier.
Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo scores closest to Sparkling Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more savoury.
Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and stiller.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Sparkling Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, 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.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more aromatic.
Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from shiraz, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and drier.
Rioja Crianza
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and drier.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less oaky.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and drier.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more savoury.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and stiller.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and drier.
Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and drier.
Southern Rhône blend
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and drier.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and drier.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
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.
Change the place
Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.
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.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher 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.
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.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less oaky.
Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from shiraz, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and drier.
Corvina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and drier.
Nero d’Avola
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and drier.
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.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less oaky.
Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from shiraz, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and drier.
Corvina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and drier.
Nero d’Avola
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and drier.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Super Tuscan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and drier.
Ribera del Duero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and stiller.
Priorat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and stiller.
Shiraz
Both are made from shiraz, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stiller.
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.