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 keeping the savoury, non-fruity character and the firm tannic structure, while moving away from too heavy, too savoury or funky and too earthy or musty.

You said you like the savoury, non-fruity character and that it is too savoury or funky. Both are about savoury character, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
You said you like the savoury, non-fruity character and that it is too savoury or funky. Both are about fruit intensity, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.

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.

Dolcetto

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

Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Fer Servadou

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

Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Mondeuse Noire

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

Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Trousseau

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

Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Colorino

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

Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Montsant

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

Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
About as heavy as the wine you started from.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Castelão

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

Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
A little less heavy.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Prokupac

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

Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
A little less heavy.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
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.

Dolcetto

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

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

Fer Servadou

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Trousseau

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 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.

Dolcetto

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

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

Fer Servadou

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Trousseau

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 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.

Dolcetto

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

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

Fer Servadou

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Trousseau

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 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.

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

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

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

Fer Servadou

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 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 less tannic and softer.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Super Tuscan

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

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

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Carignan across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Petit Verdot

Both come from the same country.

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

Bolgheri

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, 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.

Trousseau

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 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 less tannic and softer, and fuller and richer.

Castelão

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.

Egri Bikavér

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 structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Petit Verdot

Both come from the same country.

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

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.

Baga

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

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

Bairrada Baga

Bairrada Baga 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.

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 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 less tannic and softer, and earthier.

Langhe Nebbiolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and stronger and warmer.

Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but softer

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

Dolcetto

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

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

Grenache

curated

Constant blending partners across the western Mediterranean.

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

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 less tannic and softer.

The sparkling version

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

Lambrusco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Tinto Cão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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 less tannic and softer.

Dornfelder

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

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

Fer Servadou

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Trousseau

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Colorino

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 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 stronger and warmer.

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Similar but more aromatic

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

Cabernet Franc

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 earthier.

Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Dolcetto

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

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

Fer Servadou

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Trousseau

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Similar but more floral

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

Cabernet Franc

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 earthier.

Malbec

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

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

Cru Beaujolais

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 earthier.

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 earthier.

Xinomavro

Xinomavro 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.

Taurasi

Taurasi 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.

Dolcetto

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

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

Fer Servadou

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Trousseau

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 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.

Montsant

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

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

Zinfandel

Both are made from carignan.

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

Bekaa Valley Red

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

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

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Montsant

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

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

Bekaa Valley Red

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

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

Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends

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

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

Montsant

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

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

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.

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 less tannic and softer.

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.

Cru Beaujolais

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 earthier.

Cabernet Sauvignon

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 stronger and warmer.

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Cabernet Franc

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 earthier.

Something more adventurous

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

Dolcetto

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

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

Fer Servadou

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Trousseau

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 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.

Dolcetto

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

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

Fer Servadou

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Trousseau

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 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.

Priorat

Both are made from carignan.

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

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, 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.