If you like this, try…
Wines like Carignan
A high-yielding Mediterranean variety, dismissed for decades and now prized where old bush vines survive. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Carignan?
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 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 full and weighty it is
- Body is how much the wine seems to fill your mouth — the difference between skimmed and whole milk. It comes mostly from alcohol and ripeness.
- That it is not oaky
- No barrel character — just the fruit and the acidity. Chablis and Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc are the reference points.
- The savoury, meaty side
- Leather, olive, cured meat, dried herbs, tobacco. It is what people mean by calling a wine "serious" rather than "fruity", and it comes with age as well as with place.
- 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.
- That it is properly dry
- No perceptible sugar at all. Almost all red wine is dry and a good deal of white wine is not, which is why this is a more useful thing to say about a white than about a red.
Looking for something keeping the savoury, non-fruity character, while moving away from too austere, too drying or too tannic and too plain or too simple.
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.
Corvina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Rioja Gran Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Mourvèdre
curatedA comparably structured, savoury Mediterranean variety.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
- About as drying or too tannic as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Rioja
Both are made from carignan, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
- About as drying or too tannic as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Substantially less austere.
- About as drying or too tannic as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Corvina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Rioja Gran Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Mourvèdre
curatedA comparably structured, savoury Mediterranean variety.
Expect: Gamier and denser.
Rioja
Both are made from carignan, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Corvina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Rioja Gran Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
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.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
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.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
English still Pinot Noir
English still Pinot Noir scores closest to Carignan across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Ribera del Duero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Primitivo
Primitivo scores closest to Carignan across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
Super Tuscan
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Rioja Gran Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
Zinfandel
Both are made from carignan, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
Chilean Carmenère
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Sagrantino
Sagrantino scores closest to Carignan across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less oaky.
Montefalco Sagrantino
Montefalco Sagrantino scores closest to Carignan across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and drier.
Touriga Nacional
Touriga Nacional scores closest to Carignan across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fruitier.
Priorat
Both are made from carignan.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and drier.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Oregon Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Barbera d’Asti
Barbera d’Asti scores closest to Carignan across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
Carmenère
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Chilean Carmenère
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
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 more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Carignan across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Carignan across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Tawny Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and stiller.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Tawny Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less tannic and softer.
Sparkling Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more tannic and structured.
Vin Doux Naturel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.
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.
Tinta Negra
Tinta Negra scores closest to Carignan across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less tannic and softer.
Tinta Barroca
Tinta Barroca scores closest to Carignan across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Carignan across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Rondinella
Rondinella scores closest to Carignan across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Rioja Gran Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Rioja
Both are made from carignan, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
Cabernet Franc
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Carignan across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less oaky.
Corvina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Rioja Gran Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Rioja
Both are made from carignan, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Rioja Gran Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Chianti Classico Riserva
Chianti Classico Riserva scores closest to Carignan across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Northern Rhône Syrah
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione scores closest to Carignan across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Corvina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
California Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Carignan across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Zinfandel
Both are made from carignan.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
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.
Rioja
Both are made from carignan, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
Zinfandel
Both are made from carignan.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
Bekaa Valley Red
Both are made from carignan.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends
Both are made from carignan.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
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.
Rioja
Both are made from carignan, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
Bekaa Valley Red
Both are made from carignan.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
Zinfandel
Both are made from carignan.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends
Both are made from carignan.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Priorat
Both are made from carignan.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
Zinfandel
Both are made from carignan.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Southern Rhône blend
Both are made from carignan, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Rioja
Both are made from carignan, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
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.
Rioja Gran Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Rioja
Both are made from carignan, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Corvina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
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.
Corvina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Ribera del Duero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Priorat
Both are made from carignan.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
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.