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, too oaky or woody 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.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less peppery.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less peppery.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less peppery.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less peppery.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less peppery.
Chilean Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less peppery.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less peppery.
Bierzo Mencía
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- 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.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and stiller.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and stiller.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and stiller.
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 less oaky, and less spicy.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and stiller.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and stiller.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and stiller.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Valpolicella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and stiller.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and stiller.
País
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.
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 less oaky, and less spicy.
English still Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.
Cru Beaujolais
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and stiller.
Valpolicella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and stiller.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Toro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more oaky.
Alicante Bouschet
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
Priorat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Australian traditional-method sparkling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.
Franciacorta
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.
Méthode Cap Classique
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.
California traditional-method sparkling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and stiller.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and stiller.
Negroamaro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.
Rosso di Montalcino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Valpolicella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and stiller.
Loire Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and stiller.
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 less spicy, and lighter.
Rosso di Montalcino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and stiller.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and stiller.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and stiller.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
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 less spicy, and fresher.
Austrian Sekt
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.
Sekt
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.
Australian traditional-method sparkling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.
The still version
Moves from sparkling to still while keeping the grape and flavour family intact.
Bierzo Mencía
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Bobal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.
Chilean Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Bierzo Mencía
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and stiller.
Chilean Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and stiller.
Cru Beaujolais
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and stiller.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and stiller.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Ruby Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more oaky.
Late Bottled Vintage Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more oaky.
Vin Doux Naturel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more 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.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and stiller.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and stiller.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and stiller.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
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.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and stiller.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Sparkling Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
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 less oaky, and less spicy.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and stiller.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and stiller.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and stiller.
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 less oaky, and less spicy.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
Bierzo Mencía
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and stiller.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and stiller.
Chilean Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and stiller.
Bierzo Mencía
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and stiller.
Cru Beaujolais
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and stiller.
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, somewhere else
Holds the variety constant and changes the place, which is often a bigger change than swapping the grape.
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.
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 less oaky, and less spicy.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and stiller.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and stiller.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and stiller.
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 less oaky, and less spicy.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and stiller.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and stiller.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and stiller.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Priorat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and stiller.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and stiller.
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
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.