If you like this, try…
Wines like Blaufränkisch
Central Europe’s finest red variety: peppery, high-acid and structured, with genuine ageing potential. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Blaufränkisch?
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
- How fresh and crisp it is
- Acidity is what makes your mouth water and makes a wine feel refreshing rather than heavy. It is the single most useful thing to know about your own taste.
- The firm, grippy structure
- High tannin — the drying grip on your gums, like over-brewed tea. It gives a red something to hold on to with rich food, and it is what lets a wine age.
- How light it is
- A wine you can drink without it feeling like a commitment. Usually lower in alcohol as well as lighter in the mouth.
- 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 earthy, mineral side
- Forest floor, wet stone, mushroom, damp earth. Widely described and much less well explained than wine writing implies — the sensation is real, the causal story usually is not.
Looking for something keeping the firm tannic structure, the peppery, spicy character and the fresh, crisp acidity, while moving away from too earthy or musty.
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.
Mondeuse Noire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Blaufränkisch
Both are made from blaufränkisch, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- About as earthy or musty as the wine you started from.
Hawke’s Bay Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
- Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Nero di Troia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
- Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
- Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Valais Cornalin
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
- Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Areni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
- Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
- Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Mondeuse Noire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fresher.
Blaufränkisch
Both are made from blaufränkisch, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier.
Hawke’s Bay Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Nero di Troia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Mondeuse Noire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fresher.
Hawke’s Bay Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Nero di Troia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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.
Valpolicella
Valpolicella scores closest to Blaufränkisch across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Molinara
Molinara scores closest to Blaufränkisch across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Schiava
Schiava scores closest to Blaufränkisch across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Cinsault
Cinsault scores closest to Blaufränkisch across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, 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.
Mondeuse Noire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fresher.
Trousseau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less tannic and softer.
Fer Servadou
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and softer and rounder.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Hawke’s Bay Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Super Tuscan
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and softer and rounder.
Areni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Egri Bikavér
Both are made from blaufränkisch, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and softer and rounder.
Rioja Crianza
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and softer and rounder.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Petite Sirah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and softer and rounder.
Petit Verdot
Petit Verdot scores closest to Blaufränkisch across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and softer and rounder.
Touriga Nacional
Touriga Nacional scores closest to Blaufränkisch across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and softer and rounder.
Brunello di Montalcino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and earthier.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
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.
Mondeuse Noire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Blaufränkisch
Both are made from blaufränkisch, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier.
Rosso di Montalcino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fresher.
Graciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fresher.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Hawke’s Bay Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Super Tuscan
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Sparkling Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less tannic and softer.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Blaufränkisch across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and softer and rounder.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Blaufränkisch across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and softer and rounder.
Mondeuse Noire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Vintage Port
Vintage Port scores closest to Blaufränkisch across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more tannic and structured.
Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Saperavi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and less spicy.
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.
Mondeuse Noire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fresher.
Nero di Troia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Cornalin
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Trincadeira
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Super Tuscan
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Bolgheri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Shiraz
Shiraz scores closest to Blaufränkisch across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Blaufränkisch across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Syrah
curatedShared black pepper, dark fruit and savoury structure.
Expect: Fuller and riper, with softer acidity.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less spicy.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more tannic and structured.
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.
Mondeuse Noire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fresher.
Blaufränkisch
Both are made from blaufränkisch, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more aromatic.
Nero di Troia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Hawke’s Bay Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Syrah
curatedShared black pepper, dark fruit and savoury structure.
Expect: Fuller and riper, with softer acidity.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more tannic and structured.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Sangiovese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and less spicy.
Taurasi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more tannic and structured.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more tannic and structured.
Areni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Petite Sirah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more tannic and structured.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Primitivo di Manduria
Primitivo di Manduria scores closest to Blaufränkisch across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Bolgheri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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.
Blaufränkisch
Both are made from blaufränkisch, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fuller and richer.
Egri Bikavér
Both are made from blaufränkisch, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less tannic and softer.
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.
Blaufränkisch
Both are made from blaufränkisch, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and lighter.
Egri Bikavér
Both are made from blaufränkisch, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less tannic and softer.
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.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Sangiovese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and less spicy.
Super Tuscan
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less spicy.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Mondeuse Noire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fresher.
Blaufränkisch
Both are made from blaufränkisch, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier.
Hawke’s Bay Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Nero di Troia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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.
Mondeuse Noire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fresher.
Blaufränkisch
Both are made from blaufränkisch, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier.
Hawke’s Bay Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Nero di Troia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Sangiovese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and less spicy.
Red Bordeaux
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and earthier.
Syrah
curatedShared black pepper, dark fruit and savoury structure.
Expect: Fuller and riper, with softer acidity.
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.