If you like this, try…
Wines like Lagrein
An Alpine Italian variety producing dark, firm, savoury reds in Alto Adige. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
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What do you like about Lagrein?
Optional — the results below already work without it. But “I like Malbec” is at least four different preferences wearing one name, and saying which one you mean changes the answer substantially. Only qualities this wine actually has are offered.
What these words mean
- The firm, grippy structure
- High tannin — the drying grip on your gums, like over-brewed tea. It gives a red something to hold on to with rich food, and it is what lets a wine age.
- How full and weighty it is
- Body is how much the wine seems to fill your mouth — the difference between skimmed and whole milk. It comes mostly from alcohol and ripeness.
- The vanilla and oak
- Vanilla, toast, coconut, sweet spice, sometimes smoke. It comes from the barrel rather than the grape, which is why the same grape can taste completely different with and without it.
- 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 heavy 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.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less heavy.
- A little less savoury or funky.
Cru Beaujolais
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less heavy.
- A little less savoury or funky.
Trousseau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less heavy.
- A little less savoury or funky.
Loire Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less heavy.
- A little less savoury or funky.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less heavy.
- A little less savoury or funky.
Gamay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Fer Servadou
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less heavy.
- 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.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Cru Beaujolais
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more floral.
Trousseau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less oaky.
Loire Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more herbal and green.
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, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Cru Beaujolais
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more floral.
Trousseau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less oaky.
Loire Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more herbal and green.
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, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
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 restrained in fruit.
Cru Beaujolais
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more floral.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
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 restrained in fruit.
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.
Cru Beaujolais
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more floral.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
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 restrained in fruit.
Loire Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more herbal and green.
Valpolicella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Bolgheri
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Lagrein across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Argentine Malbec
Argentine Malbec scores closest to Lagrein across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Touriga Nacional
Touriga Nacional scores closest to Lagrein across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Gamay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more restrained in fruit.
Muscat Bailey A
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more restrained in fruit.
Pinot Meunier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more restrained in fruit.
Cru Beaujolais
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more floral.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Touriga Nacional
Touriga Nacional scores closest to Lagrein across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Mavrud
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.
Petit Verdot
Petit Verdot scores closest to Lagrein across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more restrained in fruit.
Toro
Toro scores closest to Lagrein across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Loire Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more herbal and green.
Valpolicella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more restrained in fruit.
Mondeuse Noire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more restrained in fruit.
Barbera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and stronger and warmer.
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, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more fruit-driven.
Canaiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more fruit-driven.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more restrained in fruit.
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, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more restrained in fruit.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more restrained in fruit.
Sparkling Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more fruit-driven.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
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 restrained in fruit.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more restrained in fruit.
Lambrusco
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 restrained in fruit.
Dornfelder
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more restrained in fruit.
Muscat Bailey A
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more restrained in fruit.
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.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and spicier.
Fer Servadou
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more restrained in fruit.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
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 restrained in fruit.
Dornfelder
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more restrained in fruit.
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 more fruit-driven.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Bolgheri
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Super Tuscan
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
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.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more restrained in fruit.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more herbal and green.
Muscat Bailey A
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more restrained in fruit.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more savoury.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less tannic and softer.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less tannic and softer.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more aromatic.
Trousseau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more aromatic.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Gamay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more restrained in fruit.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more herbal and green.
Cru Beaujolais
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more floral.
Loire Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more herbal and green.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Naoussa Xinomavro
Naoussa Xinomavro scores closest to Lagrein across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Xinomavro
Xinomavro scores closest to Lagrein across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Chianti Classico Riserva
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fuller and richer.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fuller and richer.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Barbera d’Alba
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.
California Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more fruit-driven.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
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.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more floral.
Gamay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more restrained in fruit.
Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Barbera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and stronger and warmer.
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, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Trousseau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less oaky.
Loire Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more herbal and green.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
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 restrained in fruit.
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, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Trousseau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less oaky.
Loire Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more herbal and green.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
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 restrained in fruit.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Ribera del Duero
Ribera del Duero scores closest to Lagrein across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Cru Beaujolais
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more floral.
California Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
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.