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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.
Refine
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 oaky or woody, too drying or too tannic, too heavy and too earthy or musty.
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.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Gamay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Valpolicella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Canaiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Muscat Bailey A
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Dornfelder
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less heavy.
- 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.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more floral.
Gamay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more fruit-driven.
Rondinella
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.
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 less tannic and softer.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more floral.
Gamay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more fruit-driven.
Rondinella
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.
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 less tannic and softer.
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.
Canaiolo
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.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more floral.
Gamay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more fruit-driven.
Rondinella
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.
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.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more floral.
Gamay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more fruit-driven.
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 less tannic and softer.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
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.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Argentine Malbec
Argentine Malbec scores closest to Lagrein across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.
Primitivo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Alicante Bouschet
Alicante Bouschet scores closest to Lagrein across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.
Uruguayan Tannat
Uruguayan Tannat scores closest to Lagrein 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.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more floral.
Gamay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more fruit-driven.
Rondinella
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.
Canaiolo
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.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Naoussa Xinomavro
Naoussa Xinomavro scores closest to Lagrein across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and earthier.
Xinomavro
Xinomavro scores closest to Lagrein across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and earthier.
Baga
Baga scores closest to Lagrein 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 Lagrein 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, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Molinara
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Loire Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more herbal and green.
Chianti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and stronger and warmer.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
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
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.
Canaiolo
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.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less 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, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
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.
Sparkling Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.
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, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Rondinella
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.
Lambrusco
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.
Muscat Bailey A
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.
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.
Rondinella
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.
Canaiolo
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.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
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.
Dornfelder
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
California Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Lagrein across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.
Super Tuscan
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Lagrein across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.
Bolgheri
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.
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 less tannic and softer, and more fruit-driven.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more herbal and green.
Muscat Bailey A
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.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more oaky.
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
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.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
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.
Koshu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter.
Pinot Blanc
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 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 less tannic and softer, and more fruit-driven.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, 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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Canaiolo
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.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Chianti Classico Riserva
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fuller and richer.
Naoussa Xinomavro
Naoussa Xinomavro scores closest to Lagrein across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and earthier.
Xinomavro
Xinomavro scores closest to Lagrein across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and earthier.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fuller and richer.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Barbera d’Alba
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 oaky.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.
Zinfandel
Zinfandel scores closest to Lagrein across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and spicier.
California Rhône blend
California Rhône blend scores closest to Lagrein across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and spicier.
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.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more fruit-driven.
Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter.
Cru Beaujolais
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more floral.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more herbal and green.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more floral.
Rondinella
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.
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 less tannic and softer.
Canaiolo
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.
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.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more floral.
Rondinella
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.
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 less tannic and softer.
Canaiolo
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.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and spicier.
Chianti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and stronger and warmer.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Gamay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more fruit-driven.
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.