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 firm tannic structure, while moving away from too austere, too savoury or funky, too plain or too simple and too heavy.
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.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- About as heavy as the wine you started from.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- About as heavy as the wine you started from.
Blaufränkisch
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- A little less heavy.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- About as heavy as the wine you started from.
Corvina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- About as heavy as the wine you started from.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- More heavy, not less.
Mourvèdre
curatedA comparably structured, savoury Mediterranean variety.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
- About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- About as heavy as the wine you started from.
Egri Bikavér
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- A little less heavy.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more fruit-driven.
Blaufränkisch
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more fruit-driven.
Blaufränkisch
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
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.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Dolcetto
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.
Cru Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
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.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Cru Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Loire Cabernet Franc
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 tannic and softer.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Touriga Nacional
Touriga Nacional scores closest to Carignan across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.
Super Tuscan
Super Tuscan scores closest to Carignan across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Bolgheri
Bolgheri scores closest to Carignan across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Primitivo di Manduria
Primitivo di Manduria scores closest to Carignan across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fuller and richer.
Zinfandel
Both are made from carignan.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fuller and richer.
Corvina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and drier.
Merlot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.
Sagrantino
Sagrantino scores closest to Carignan across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.
Mavrud
Mavrud scores closest to Carignan across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and drier.
Petit Verdot
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Loire Cabernet Franc
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 tannic and softer.
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Oregon Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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 fuller and richer, and drier.
Zinfandel
Both are made from carignan.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
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 fuller and richer, and more fruit-driven.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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 drier.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more fruit-driven.
Sparkling Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more fruit-driven.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
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.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Carignan across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Tinto Cão
Tinto Cão scores closest to Carignan across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Dornfelder
Dornfelder scores closest to Carignan across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Rondo
Rondo scores closest to Carignan across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fuller and richer.
Rioja
Both are made from carignan, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
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 drier, and fuller and richer.
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 tannic and softer.
Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
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.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Blaufränkisch
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Corvina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more fruit-driven.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
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 tannic and softer.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
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.
Naoussa Xinomavro
Naoussa Xinomavro scores closest to Carignan across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and drier.
Xinomavro
Xinomavro scores closest to Carignan across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and drier.
Chianti Classico Riserva
Chianti Classico Riserva scores closest to Carignan across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and drier.
Rioja Gran Reserva
Rioja Gran Reserva scores closest to Carignan across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and drier.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more fruit-driven.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Blaufränkisch
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less 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.
Zinfandel
Both are made from carignan.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Rioja
Both are made from carignan, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Bekaa Valley Red
Both are made from carignan.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Montsant
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 fuller and richer.
Bekaa Valley Red
Both are made from carignan.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Montsant
Both are made from carignan.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
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 fuller and richer, and drier.
Zinfandel
Both are made from carignan.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Southern Rhône blend
Both are made from carignan, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Languedoc red
Both are made from carignan, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
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.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Zinfandel
Both are made from carignan.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Rioja
Both are made from carignan, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more fruit-driven.
Blaufränkisch
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Corvina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
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.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more fruit-driven.
Blaufränkisch
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Corvina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Ribera del Duero
Ribera del Duero scores closest to Carignan across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Amarone della Valpolicella scores closest to Carignan across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Priorat
Both are made from carignan.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
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.