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 and too soft or too easy.
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.
- A little less soft or too easy.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- Substantially less sweet.
- Substantially less soft or too easy.
Tannat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- Substantially less sweet.
- Substantially less soft or too easy.
Madiran
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- Substantially less sweet.
- Substantially less soft or too easy.
Aglianico
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- Substantially less sweet.
- Substantially less soft or too easy.
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 tannic and softer, and more fruit-driven.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and stiller.
Tannat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Madiran
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
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 tannic and softer, and more fruit-driven.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and stiller.
Tannat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Madiran
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
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 tannic and softer, and more fruit-driven.
Dolcetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Mondeuse Noire
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Fer Servadou
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
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 tannic and softer, and more fruit-driven.
Mondeuse Noire
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Fer Servadou
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Dolcetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
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 rounder and creamier in texture, and drier.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Toro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and drier.
Super Tuscan
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
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 structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and stiller.
Tannat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Aglianico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Madiran
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Aglianico
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Baga
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Bairrada Baga
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Toro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and drier.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
Both are made from shiraz, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and drier.
Barossa Shiraz
Both are made from shiraz, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and drier.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
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.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and more savoury.
Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stiller.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more fruit-driven.
Madiran
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stiller.
The still version
Moves from sparkling to still while keeping the grape and flavour family intact.
Aglianico
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Baga
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Bairrada Baga
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and stiller.
Aglianico
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Madiran
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Vintage Port
Vintage Port scores closest to Sparkling Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Port
Port scores closest to Sparkling Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Ruby Port
Ruby Port scores closest to Sparkling Shiraz across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less tannic and softer.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more savoury.
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 tannic and softer, and more fruit-driven.
Nero di Troia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Bobal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Broad-leaved Melnik
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Super Tuscan
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Ribera del Duero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Barossa Shiraz
Both are made from shiraz, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
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 tannic and softer, and more fruit-driven.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and stiller.
Tannat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Madiran
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
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 tannic and softer, and more fruit-driven.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and stiller.
Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and drier.
Madiran
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and drier.
Aglianico
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, 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, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Change the mood
Safer, stranger, cheaper or more serious.
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 tannic and softer, and more fruit-driven.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and stiller.
Tannat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Madiran
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
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 tannic and softer, and more fruit-driven.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and stiller.
Tannat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Madiran
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Super Tuscan
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Priorat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Ribera del Duero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
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 less tannic and softer.
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.