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.

← Back to Carignan

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.

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 plain or too simple, too drying or too tannic and too savoury or funky.

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

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

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

Merlot

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

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

Rioja Crianza

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

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

Zinfandel

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

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

Grenache

curated

Constant blending partners across the western Mediterranean.

Substantially less earthy or musty.
About as plain or too simple as the wine you started from.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Corvina

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

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

Nero d’Avola

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

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

Egri Bikavér

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

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

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

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

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

Merlot

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

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

Rioja Crianza

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

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

Zinfandel

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Merlot

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

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

Rioja Crianza

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

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

Corvina

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.

Egri Bikavér

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

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

Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barbera

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Gamay

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

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

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

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

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

Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Beaujolais

Both come from the same country.

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Argentine Malbec

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

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

Super Tuscan

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

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

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.

Similar but less tannic

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

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Zinfandel

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

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

Rioja Crianza

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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 less oaky.

Toro

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less oaky.

Touriga Nacional

Touriga Nacional scores closest to Carignan across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less oaky.

Petite Sirah

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

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

Similar but fresher

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

Barbera d’Asti

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

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

Barbera

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

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

Barbera d’Alba

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but softer

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

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Merlot

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

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

Zinfandel

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

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

Grenache

curated

Constant 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 more fruit-driven, and less oaky.

Lambrusco

Lambrusco 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.

English sparkling rosé

English sparkling rosé scores closest to Carignan across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Similar but sweeter

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

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Vin Doux Naturel

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

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

Late Bottled Vintage Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Zinfandel

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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

Both come from the same country.

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

Castelão

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

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

Prokupac

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

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

Négrette

Both come from the same country.

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Super Tuscan

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.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

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.

Shiraz

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.

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 more tannic and structured, and less oaky.

Gamay

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

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

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less oaky.

Cabernet Franc

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

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

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.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Merlot

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

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

Rioja Crianza

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

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

Zinfandel

Both are made from carignan, and 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.

Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less oaky.

Argentine Malbec

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

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 less oaky, and more fruit-driven.

Argentine Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Northern Rhône Syrah

Both come from the same country.

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

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione

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

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

Similar but fruitier

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

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Zinfandel

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.

Merlot

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

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

Rioja Crianza

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

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 less oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Rioja

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more tannic and structured.

Montsant

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more tannic and structured.

Bekaa Valley Red

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

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

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Zinfandel

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

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

Rioja

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more tannic and structured.

Montsant

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more tannic and structured.

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 less oaky, and earthier.

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 more tannic and structured, and earthier.

Zinfandel

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

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

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 less oaky, and earthier.

Montsant

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Merlot

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

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

Rioja Crianza

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

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

Zinfandel

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

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

Something more adventurous

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

Corvina

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

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

Nero d’Avola

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

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

Egri Bikavér

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

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

Agiorgitiko

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.

Corvina

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

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

Nero d’Avola

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

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

Egri Bikavér

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

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

Agiorgitiko

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

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

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 more savoury, and more tannic and structured.

Amarone della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more tannic and structured.

Priorat

Both are made from carignan.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and earthier.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Both come from the same country.

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

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.