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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.

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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.

I like…

The firm, grippy structure The savoury, meaty side

But it’s a bit…

too drying or too tannic too heavy too plain or too simple too earthy or musty too savoury or funky too austere

Clear all

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 earthy or musty, too drying or too tannic, too savoury or funky 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.

Trousseau

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less heavy.

Gamay

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less heavy.

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

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

Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less heavy.

Dornfelder

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

Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less heavy.

Rondo

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

Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less heavy.

Pinot Meunier

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

Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less heavy.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less heavy.

Valpolicella

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

Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially 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.

Trousseau

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Gamay

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

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

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

Dornfelder

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

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

Different grape, similar feel

Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.

Trousseau

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Gamay

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

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

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

Dornfelder

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

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

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.

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

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

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

Dornfelder

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

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

Gamay

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

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.

Gamay

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

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

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

Pinot Meunier

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Valpolicella

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

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Argentine Malbec

Argentine Malbec scores closest to Carignan across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Primitivo

Primitivo scores closest to Carignan across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Super Tuscan

Super Tuscan scores closest to Carignan across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon 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.

Trousseau

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Gamay

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Cinsault

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 lighter.

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

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

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Petit Verdot

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.

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.

Toro

Toro scores closest to Carignan across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.

Petite Sirah

Petite Sirah scores closest to Carignan across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.

Similar but fresher

Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.

Valpolicella

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

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

Barbera

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.

Loire Cabernet Franc

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more herbal and green.

Mondeuse Noire

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Similar but softer

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

Grenache

curated

Constant blending partners across the western Mediterranean.

Expect: Softer tannin, riper red fruit and higher alcohol.

Merlot

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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

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

Montepulciano

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

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

The sparkling version

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

Lambrusco

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

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Sparkling Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

English sparkling rosé

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.

Similar but sweeter

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Dornfelder

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

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

Rondo

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

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

Lambrusco

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

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, 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.

Trousseau

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Dornfelder

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

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

Rondo

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

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

Pinot Meunier

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Merlot

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Egri Bikavér

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

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

Barbera

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.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Gamay

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Cabernet Franc

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more restrained in fruit.

Muscat Bailey A

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

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

Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Trebbiano d’Abruzzo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Vernaccia di San Gimignano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Pinot Blanc

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 more fruit-driven.

Similar but more floral

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

Gamay

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Cabernet Franc

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more restrained in fruit.

Dornfelder

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

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

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

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

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

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 more savoury, and earthier.

Chianti Classico Riserva

Chianti Classico Riserva scores closest to Carignan across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Cabernet Franc

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more restrained in fruit.

Pinot Noir

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

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Gamay

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Trousseau

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

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

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

Dornfelder

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

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, 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 stronger and warmer.

Montsant

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.

Rioja

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.

Bekaa Valley Red

Both are made from carignan.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fuller and richer.

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.

Montsant

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.

Zinfandel

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Southern Rhône blend

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Rioja

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Zinfandel

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Southern Rhône blend

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Montsant

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.

Languedoc red

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.

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.

Gamay

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Barbera

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.

Beaujolais

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 lighter.

Cru Beaujolais

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Something more adventurous

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

Trousseau

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

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

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

Dornfelder

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

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

Rondo

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

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, 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.

Trousseau

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

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

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

Dornfelder

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

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

Rondo

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

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, 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

Amarone della Valpolicella scores closest to Carignan across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Ribera del Duero

Ribera del Duero scores closest to Carignan across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.

Argentine Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Merlot

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

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

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.