If you already have a favourite grape - like Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, or Malbec - think of it as your personal compass. From there, you can explore Italian and French wines that deliver a familiar pleasure while opening the door to something new.
This guide is your shortcut to discovering European reds you’ll fall in love with - whether you’re looking for an Italian wine similar to Shiraz, a French wine similar to Cabernet Sauvignon, or simply something new to try if you like Malbec.
If You Like Pinot Noir
Pinot is loved for its light touch - delicate, perfumed, and quietly complex.
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Try This from Italy: Nebbiolo from Barolo or Barbaresco. Pale in colour but with haunting aromas of roses, tar, and cherries. It’s one of the most expressive Italian red wines similar to Pinot Noir, with a bit more structure and tannin.
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Try This from France: Red Burgundy (Pinot Noir in its birthplace). The original and still the benchmark, offering silky textures and savoury edges.
Sip this: A Nebbiolo or Burgundy is a reminder that wine doesn’t need to shout to be unforgettable.
Tastes Like: Comparable to Yarra Valley Pinot - but with more grip and savoury depth. If you’ve ever searched for grapes similar to Pinot Noir or a red wine similar to Pinot Noir, these are your answer.
Langhe, Piedmont, Italy
If You Like Grenache
Grenache is fruity, approachable, and made for sharing.
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Try This from Italy: Cannonau from Sardinia - Mediterranean sunshine in a glass, soft and generous.
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Try This from France: Southern Rhône blends (Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas) - Grenache at its most expressive, full of spice and ripe red fruit.
Sip this: These wines are made for long lunches and good company - generous, sun-drenched, and full of joy.
Tastes Like: Comparable to McLaren Vale Grenache - bright red fruits, soft tannins, easy to love.
If You Like Merlot
Soft, plush, and comforting, Merlot is the ultimate easy-drinker.
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Try This from Italy: Dolcetto from Piedmont - plummy, smooth, and perfect for weeknight sipping.
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Try This from France: Right Bank Bordeaux (Pomerol, Saint-Émilion) - Merlot’s finest expression, velvety with layers of ripe fruit.
Sip this: Dolcetto offers the same effortless charm as Merlot, while Right Bank Bordeaux elevates it into something timeless.
Tastes Like: Comparable to Coonawarra Merlot - soft, juicy, and crowd-pleasing.
Saint Émilion, Bordeaux, France
If You Like Malbec
Malbec is plush, fruit-driven, and instantly likeable - a crowd-pleaser at any dinner.
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Try This from Italy: Montepulciano d’Abruzzo - juicy, approachable, with just enough rustic charm to keep it interesting. A great choice if you’re after an Italian wine similar to Malbec.
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Try This from France: Cahors in Southwest France, Malbec’s birthplace. Earthy, structured, and proof that there’s more to Malbec wine similar to Argentina’s version.
Sip this: Malbec lovers will feel right at home with Montepulciano - and Cahors will surprise you with its rustic authenticity.
Tastes Like: Comparable to Clare Valley Malbec - generous fruit with a rustic edge. The perfect swap if you like Malbec, try Montepulciano or Cahors.
If You Like Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet is bold, structured, and a little serious - the wine equivalent of a well-tailored suit.
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Try This from Italy: Super Tuscan blends - where Cabernet meets Sangiovese on the Tuscan coast. Rich and polished, these are iconic Italian wines similar to Cabernet Sauvignon. Or try Aglianico from Campania, often compared with Cab for its tannins and ageing potential.
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Try This from France: Left Bank Bordeaux (Médoc, Pauillac) - the definitive French wine similar to Cabernet Sauvignon, full of cassis, cedar, and earthy power.
Sip this: A glass of Bordeaux or Aglianico is like a masterclass in elegance - familiar yet layered with Old World depth.
Tastes Like: Comparable to Coonawarra Cabernet - structured, with cassis and savoury tannins. For anyone searching Cabernet Sauvignon similar wines, these French and Italian bottles deliver.
If You Like GSM Blends
GSM (Grenache, Shiraz, Mourvèdre) is an Australian classic - rich, warming, and layered with spice.
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Try This from Italy: Rosso di Montefalco (Umbria) - often blending Sangiovese with bold grapes like Sagrantino, it brings rustic depth and layered flavours.
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Try This from France: Southern Rhône GSM blends (Côtes du Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Vacqueyras) - the original inspiration behind Australia’s GSMs.
Sip this: A Rhône GSM is like tasting the blueprint of Australia’s favourite red blend - familiar but with centuries of tradition layered in.
Tastes Like: Comparable to Barossa GSM - bold, warming, and full of spice.
Vineyards near Montefalco, Umbria, Italy
If You Like Shiraz (Syrah)
Big, bold, and peppery, Shiraz is Australia’s signature.
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Try This from Italy: Nero d’Avola from Sicily - sun-soaked, generous, and spicy. A classic Italian wine similar to Shiraz that’s perfect for lovers of ripe, warming reds.
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Try This from France: Northern Rhône Syrah (Hermitage, Côte-Rôtie) - the refined original. Pepper, smoke, and savoury elegance for those looking for Shiraz similar wines.
Sip this: Syrah and Nero d’Avola both feel like a fireside conversation - bold, spicy, and unforgettable.
Tastes Like: Comparable to Barossa Shiraz - rich, dark fruit and spice, but with a more savoury finish. If you want wines similar to Shiraz, these are your best bet.
The Final Pour: Your Shortcut to Europe
Think of your favourite grape as a passport. Each sip of Pinot, Shiraz, or Malbec has a European cousin waiting to be discovered. From the rugged hills of Piedmont to the grand châteaux of Bordeaux, there’s always a familiar flavour that can guide you into new territory.
So next time you reach for your usual bottle, consider its French or Italian twin. You might just find a new favourite.