If you like this, try…
Wines like Graciano
A low-yielding Rioja blending variety contributing acidity, colour and aromatic lift. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Graciano?
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 bright red fruit
- Raspberry, redcurrant, sour cherry — lighter and sharper than dark fruit, usually from a cooler place or an earlier picking.
- The rich dark fruit
- Blackberry, plum, black cherry — fruit that tastes ripe and generous rather than tart. It comes from warm-climate ripening and it is what most people mean when they call a red "fruity".
- How fresh and crisp it is
- Acidity is what makes your mouth water and makes a wine feel refreshing rather than heavy. It is the single most useful thing to know about your own taste.
- 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.
- That it is not oaky
- No barrel character — just the fruit and the acidity. Chablis and Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc are the reference points.
- The floral character
- Rose, violet, elderflower, orange blossom.
Looking for something keeping the floral, perfumed side, that the fruit is not covered in oak, the bright red-fruited character and the firm tannic structure, while moving away from too floral or soapy.
- You said you like the floral, perfumed side and that it is too floral or soapy. Both are about floral character, 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.
Mondeuse Noire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of the floral, perfumed side.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Bobal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Has noticeably less of the floral, perfumed side.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Refosco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of the floral, perfumed side.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Etna Rosso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Has some of that the fruit is not covered in oak, though less of it.
- Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Nerello Mascalese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Has some of that the fruit is not covered in oak, though less of it.
- Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Cornalin
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of the floral, perfumed side.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Langhe Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Has some of that the fruit is not covered in oak, though less of it.
- Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- About as floral or soapy as the wine you started from.
Dornfelder
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
- Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Mondeuse Noire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Bobal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Refosco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Etna Rosso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and lighter.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Mondeuse Noire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Bobal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Refosco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Etna Rosso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and lighter.
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.
Mondeuse Noire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Dornfelder
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Fer Servadou
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Loire Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more 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.
Mondeuse Noire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Loire Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less tannic and softer.
Pinot Meunier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Châteauneuf-du-Pape scores closest to Graciano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Graciano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.
Douro red
Douro red scores closest to Graciano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.
Alicante Bouschet
Alicante Bouschet scores closest to Graciano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Loire Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more oaky.
Dornfelder
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and broader and softer.
Jaen
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and broader and softer.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less floral.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Naoussa Xinomavro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
Xinomavro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
Baga
Baga scores closest to Graciano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
Bairrada Baga
Bairrada Baga scores closest to Graciano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Washington Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.
Northern Rhône Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.
Bobal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
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 less tannic and softer, and lighter.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less tannic and softer.
Sparkling Shiraz
Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Graciano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.
Mondeuse Noire
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stiller.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Lambrusco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less tannic and softer.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Dornfelder
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and broader and softer.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Washington Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.
Northern Rhône Syrah
Northern Rhône Syrah scores closest to Graciano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.
Saperavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less floral.
Etna Rosso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and lighter.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Graciano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more tannic and structured.
Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo scores closest to Graciano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more tannic and structured.
Barolo
Barolo scores closest to Graciano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more tannic and structured.
Langhe Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more floral.
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.
Mondeuse Noire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Etna Rosso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and lighter.
Nerello Mascalese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and lighter.
Bobal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Uco Valley Malbec
Uco Valley Malbec scores closest to Graciano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more oaky.
Négrette
Négrette scores closest to Graciano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and broader and softer.
Frappato
Frappato scores closest to Graciano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less tannic and softer.
Touriga Nacional
Touriga Nacional scores closest to Graciano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more oaky.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Mondeuse Noire
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Bobal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Refosco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Etna Rosso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and lighter.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Etna Rosso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and lighter.
Nerello Mascalese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and lighter.
Cahors
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.
Langhe Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more floral.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Zinfandel
Zinfandel scores closest to Graciano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.
Petite Sirah
Petite Sirah scores closest to Graciano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.
Primitivo di Manduria
Primitivo di Manduria scores closest to Graciano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more oaky.
Primitivo
Primitivo scores closest to Graciano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more oaky.
Change the place
Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.
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.
Rioja
Both are made from graciano, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.
Rioja Reserva
Both are made from graciano, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.
Rioja Gran Reserva
Both are made from graciano, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader 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.
Northern Rhône Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.
Cru Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less tannic and softer.
Oregon Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less tannic and softer.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less tannic and softer.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Mondeuse Noire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Bobal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Refosco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Etna Rosso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and lighter.
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.
Mondeuse Noire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Bobal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Refosco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Etna Rosso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and lighter.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Châteauneuf-du-Pape scores closest to Graciano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Amarone della Valpolicella scores closest to Graciano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.
Priorat
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.
Argentine Malbec
Argentine Malbec scores closest to Graciano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.
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.