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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.

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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.

I like…

How fresh and crisp it is The firm, grippy structure The spice

But it’s a bit…

too sharp or acidic too drying or too tannic too light or thin too oaky or woody too peppery too earthy or musty

Clear all

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, while moving away from too sharp or acidic, too earthy or musty, too oaky or woody and too light or thin.

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.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.
Substantially less light or thin.

Amarone della Valpolicella

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.
Substantially less light or thin.

Uruguayan Tannat

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.
Substantially less light or thin.

Montsant

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
A little less light or thin.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
A little less sharp or acidic.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.
Substantially less light or thin.

Plavac Mali

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.
Substantially less light or thin.

Dalmatian Plavac Mali

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.
Substantially less light or thin.

Primitivo di Manduria

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.
Substantially less light or thin.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more oaky.

Amarone della Valpolicella

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Uruguayan Tannat

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Montsant

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more oaky.

Amarone della Valpolicella

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Uruguayan Tannat

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Montsant

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.

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.

Cinsault

Cinsault scores closest to Blaufränkisch across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.

Tibouren

Tibouren scores closest to Blaufränkisch across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.

Portugieser

Portugieser scores closest to Blaufränkisch across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.

Beaujolais

Beaujolais scores closest to Blaufränkisch across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.

Fer Servadou

Fer Servadou scores closest to Blaufränkisch across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

Cerasuolo di Vittoria scores closest to Blaufränkisch across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Blaufränkisch across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.

Mondeuse Noire

Mondeuse Noire scores closest to Blaufränkisch across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Amarone della Valpolicella

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more oaky.

Uruguayan Tannat

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Plavac Mali

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more oaky.

Similar but less tannic

For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.

Primitivo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and softer and rounder.

Grenache

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and softer and rounder.

Argentine Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and softer and rounder.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter.

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 more oaky.

Petit Verdot

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.

Toro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less spicy.

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.

Rosso di Montalcino

Rosso di Montalcino scores closest to Blaufränkisch across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.

Graciano

Graciano scores closest to Blaufränkisch across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more oaky.

Refosco

Refosco scores closest to Blaufränkisch across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.

Similar but softer

Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more oaky.

Amarone della Valpolicella

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Uruguayan Tannat

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Montsant

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.

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 lighter, and less tannic and softer.

Lambrusco

Lambrusco scores closest to Blaufränkisch across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Blaufränkisch across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

Port

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and more oaky.

Similar but sweeter

Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.

Port

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Vintage Port

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Ruby Port

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.

Late Bottled Vintage Port

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, 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.

Nero di Troia

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.

Cornalin

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.

Bobal

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.

Montsant

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and softer and rounder.

Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and softer and rounder.

Barossa Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and softer and rounder.

Super Tuscan

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Similar but more aromatic

More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.

Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.

Syrah

curated

Shared black pepper, dark fruit and savoury structure.

Expect: Fuller and riper, with softer acidity.

Cabernet Sauvignon

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.

Cabernet Franc

curated

Comparable acidity, graphite minerality and medium body.

Expect: Leafier and lighter in tannin.

Similar but more restrained

For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more oaky.

Amarone della Valpolicella

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Uruguayan Tannat

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Montsant

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.

Similar but more floral

Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.

Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.

Petit Verdot

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.

Touriga Nacional

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.

Argentine Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less tannic and softer.

Similar but more savoury

Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.

Cahors

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and lighter.

Carignan

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and earthier.

Mourvèdre

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and lighter.

Douro red

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more oaky.

Similar but fruitier

More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.

Primitivo di Manduria

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more oaky.

Petite Sirah

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.

Primitivo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less tannic and softer.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more oaky.

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.

Egri Bikavér

Both are made from blaufränkisch, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.

Same grape, cooler climate

Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.

Blaufränkisch

Both are made from blaufränkisch, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.

Egri Bikavér

Both are made from blaufränkisch, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.

Same grape, warmer climate

Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.

Egri Bikavér

Both are made from blaufränkisch.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.

Blaufränkisch

Both are made from blaufränkisch, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.

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

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Syrah

curated

Shared black pepper, dark fruit and savoury structure.

Expect: Fuller and riper, with softer acidity.

Cabernet Sauvignon

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.

Grenache

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less tannic and softer.

Something more adventurous

Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more oaky.

Uruguayan Tannat

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Montsant

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, 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.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more oaky.

Uruguayan Tannat

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Montsant

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, 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

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and softer and rounder.

Syrah

curated

Shared black pepper, dark fruit and savoury structure.

Expect: Fuller and riper, with softer acidity.

Ribera del Duero

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and earthier.

How these are chosen

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.