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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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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 and the peppery, spicy character, while moving away from too sharp or acidic and 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.

Syrah

curated

Shared black pepper, dark fruit and savoury structure.

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.
About as earthy or musty as the wine you started from.

Nero di Troia

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

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Fetească Neagră

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

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Plavac Mali

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Super Tuscan

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

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Dalmatian Plavac Mali

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.
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.

Syrah

curated

Shared black pepper, dark fruit and savoury structure.

Expect: Fuller and riper, with softer acidity.

Nero di Troia

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

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

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

Fetească Neagră

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

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

Nero di Troia

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

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

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

Fetească Neagră

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

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

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more herbal and green.

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.

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.

Tibouren

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

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

Grolleau

Grolleau 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

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Trousseau

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Fer Servadou

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

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

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

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fuller and richer.

Bolgheri

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

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

Dalmatian Plavac Mali

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Fetească Neagră

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

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

Similar but less tannic

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

Zinfandel

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

California Rhône blend

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Nero d’Avola

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Petit Verdot

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Mavrud

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

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Hawke’s Bay Syrah

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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

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

Nero di Troia

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

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

Similar but softer

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

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

Bolgheri

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

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

Dalmatian Plavac Mali

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Fetească Neagră

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

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

The sparkling version

Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.

Sparkling Shiraz

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

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

Lambrusco

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

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Nero di Troia

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

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

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

Port

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

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

Vintage Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Primitivo di Manduria

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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

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

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

Trincadeira

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

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

Cornalin

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

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

Prokupac

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Super Tuscan

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

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

Bolgheri

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

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

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Shiraz

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 aromatic

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

Syrah

curated

Shared black pepper, dark fruit and savoury structure.

Expect: Fuller and riper, with softer acidity.

Malbec

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

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 less spicy, and more herbal and green.

Pinot Noir

curated

A similarly high-acid, savoury red in a softer frame.

Expect: Much softer tannin and more red fruit.

Similar but more restrained

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

Nero di Troia

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

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

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

Fetească Neagră

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

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

Plavac Mali

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.

Malbec

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

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

Syrah

curated

Shared black pepper, dark fruit and savoury structure.

Expect: Fuller and riper, with softer acidity.

Hawke’s Bay Syrah

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

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

Petit Verdot

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Rioja

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

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

Rioja Reserva

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

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

Syrah

curated

Shared black pepper, dark fruit and savoury structure.

Expect: Fuller and riper, with softer acidity.

Fetească Neagră

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

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fruitier.

Similar but fruitier

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

Petite Sirah

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.

Primitivo di Manduria

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Zinfandel

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Bolgheri

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

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

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 less tannic and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Blaufränkisch

Both are made from blaufränkisch, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

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

Egri Bikavér

Both are made from blaufränkisch, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Same grape, warmer climate

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

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Blaufränkisch

Both are made from blaufränkisch, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

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

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.

Syrah

curated

Shared black pepper, dark fruit and savoury structure.

Expect: Fuller and riper, with softer acidity.

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

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

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more herbal and green.

Super Tuscan

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

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

Something more adventurous

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

Nero di Troia

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

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

Fetească Neagră

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

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

Plavac Mali

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Dalmatian Plavac Mali

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.

Nero di Troia

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

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

Fetească Neagră

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

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

Plavac Mali

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Dalmatian Plavac Mali

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

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

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

Syrah

curated

Shared black pepper, dark fruit and savoury structure.

Expect: Fuller and riper, with softer acidity.

Rioja

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

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

Rioja Reserva

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

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

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.