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 moving away from too austere, too plain or too simple, too drying or too tannic, too heavy 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.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- About as heavy as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Corvina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- About as heavy as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less austere.
- More plain or too simple, not less.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less austere.
- About as plain or too simple as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Zinfandel
Both are made from carignan, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- More heavy, not less.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Egri Bikavér
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- A little less heavy.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- About as drying or too tannic as the wine you started from.
- About as heavy as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Barbera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- A little less heavy.
- 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.
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.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
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.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Gamay
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Primitivo
Primitivo scores closest to Carignan across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Argentine Malbec
Argentine Malbec 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.
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.
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 fuller and richer, and drier.
Zinfandel
Both are made from carignan, and 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.
Merlot
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.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Touriga Nacional
Touriga Nacional scores closest to Carignan across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.
Sagrantino
Sagrantino scores closest to Carignan across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.
Baga
Baga scores closest to Carignan across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and drier.
Bairrada Baga
Bairrada Baga scores closest to Carignan across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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.
Barbera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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 earthier.
Barbera d’Asti
Barbera d’Asti scores closest to Carignan across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Valpolicella
Valpolicella 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 fuller and richer, and drier.
Zinfandel
Both are made from carignan, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Merlot
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Grenache
curatedConstant blending partners across the western Mediterranean.
Expect: Softer tannin, riper red fruit and higher alcohol.
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 less oaky.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
English sparkling rosé
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Sparkling Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.
Tawny Port
Tawny Port scores closest to Carignan across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fuller and richer.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Rondinella
Rondinella scores closest to Carignan across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
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.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Zinfandel
Both are made from carignan, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fuller and richer.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fuller and richer.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Gamay
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 earthier.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
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.
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.
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.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Gamay
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 earthier.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.
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.
Rioja Gran Reserva
Rioja Gran Reserva scores closest to Carignan across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.
Chianti Classico Riserva
Chianti Classico Riserva scores closest to Carignan across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.
Naoussa Xinomavro
Naoussa Xinomavro scores closest to Carignan across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
Xinomavro
Xinomavro scores closest to Carignan across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
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, and 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.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.
Zinfandel
Both are made from carignan, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Rioja
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.
Bekaa Valley Red
Both are made from carignan.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.
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.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Zinfandel
Both are made from carignan.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Montsant
Both are made from carignan.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Bekaa Valley Red
Both are made from carignan.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
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.
Zinfandel
Both are made from carignan, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
Montsant
Both are made from carignan.
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, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Barbera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Gamay
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 fuller and richer.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Egri Bikavér
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 fuller and richer.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Egri Bikavér
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.
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.
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.
Rioja Gran Reserva
Rioja Gran Reserva scores closest to Carignan across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.