If you like this, try…
Wines like Négrette
The distinctive violet-scented variety of Fronton in south-west France. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Négrette?
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 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 light it is
- A wine you can drink without it feeling like a commitment. Usually lower in alcohol as well as lighter in the mouth.
- How smooth and soft it is
- Low tannin. Tannin is the drying, gum-gripping sensation in red wine — like strong tea. A smooth red has little of it.
- 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.
- 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 that the fruit is not covered in oak, while moving away from too plain or too simple, too austere and too light or thin.
- You said you like that the fruit is not covered in oak and that it is too plain or too simple. Both are about oak influence, 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.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Primitivo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Primitivo di Manduria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Amarone della Valpolicella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less austere.
- A little less light or thin.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more tannic and structured.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more tannic and structured.
Primitivo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Primitivo di Manduria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more tannic and structured.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more tannic and structured.
Primitivo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Primitivo di Manduria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
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.
Portugieser
Portugieser scores closest to Négrette across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Beaujolais
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Grolleau
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more tannic and structured.
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.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Négrette across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Muscat Bailey A
Muscat Bailey A scores closest to Négrette across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Pinot Noir
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Red Burgundy
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Primitivo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more tannic and structured.
Primitivo di Manduria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Amarone della Valpolicella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Barbera d’Alba
Barbera d’Alba scores closest to Négrette across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Tinta Negra
Tinta Negra scores closest to Négrette across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Barbera d’Asti
Barbera d’Asti scores closest to Négrette across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Muscat Bailey A
Muscat Bailey A scores closest to Négrette across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less floral.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more tannic and structured.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
Primitivo di Manduria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more tannic and structured.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more tannic and structured.
Corvina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Gewürztraminer
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Muscat of Alexandria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Sparkling Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Négrette across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Négrette across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and less floral.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more tannic and structured.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more tannic and structured.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Sparkling Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Primitivo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more tannic and structured.
Primitivo di Manduria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Amarone della Valpolicella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo scores closest to Négrette across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Barolo
Barolo scores closest to Négrette across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Négrette across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
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.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more tannic and structured.
Primitivo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.
Primitivo di Manduria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
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.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more tannic and structured.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more tannic and structured.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Primitivo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more tannic and structured.
Primitivo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Primitivo di Manduria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more tannic and structured.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Priorat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Mourvèdre
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Primitivo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Primitivo di Manduria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Petite Sirah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
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.
Primitivo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Amarone della Valpolicella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Priorat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more tannic and structured.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more tannic and structured.
Primitivo di Manduria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
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.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more tannic and structured.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more tannic and structured.
Primitivo di Manduria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Amarone della Valpolicella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Primitivo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Priorat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
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.