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 sweet, 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 sweet.
- 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 sweet.
- 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 sweet.
- 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 sweet.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less peppery.
English sparkling rosé
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- Substantially less sweet.
- 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 drier, and less spicy.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.
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 drier, and less spicy.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
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.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
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.
País
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.
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 drier, and less spicy.
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.
Cru Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
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 drier, and fruitier.
McLaren Vale 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 drier, and fruitier.
Priorat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Alicante Bouschet
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
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 drier, and less spicy.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
Negroamaro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
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.
Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Loire Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Austrian Sekt
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.
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 drier, and less spicy.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Toro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
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.
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.
Sekt
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.
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 drier, and less spicy.
Chilean Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Cru Beaujolais
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Montepulciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Montsant
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Morgon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Ruby Port
Ruby Port scores closest to Sparkling Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.
Port
Port scores closest to Sparkling Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.
Late Bottled Vintage Port
Late Bottled Vintage Port scores closest to Sparkling Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.
Vin Doux Naturel
Vin Doux Naturel scores closest to Sparkling Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.
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.
Bobal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Castelão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
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 drier, and less spicy.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Sparkling Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
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.
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 drier, and less spicy.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
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 drier, and less spicy.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Bierzo Mencía
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
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 drier, and less spicy.
Chilean Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Cru Beaujolais
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Bierzo Mencía
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
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.
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 drier, and less spicy.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
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.
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 drier, and less spicy.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
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.
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 drier, and more oaky.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
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.