If you like this, try…
Wines like Negroamaro
Puglia’s savoury, bitter-edged red variety, and the counterweight to Primitivo’s sweetness. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Negroamaro?
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.
- 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, while moving away from too austere and too plain or too simple.
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, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Ribera del Duero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Corvina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
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, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fuller and richer.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
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, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fuller and richer.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
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.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir scores closest to Negroamaro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Red Burgundy
Red Burgundy scores closest to Negroamaro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less 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.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir scores closest to Negroamaro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Red Burgundy
Red Burgundy scores closest to Negroamaro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Muscat Bailey A
Muscat Bailey A scores closest to Negroamaro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Priorat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Ribera del Duero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
Rioja Gran Reserva
Rioja Gran Reserva scores closest to Negroamaro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Chilean Carmenère
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Carmenère
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Sagrantino
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 fuller and richer.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Saperavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Aglianico
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 softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Negroamaro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Primitivo
curatedIts Puglian neighbour and blending partner.
Expect: Sweeter and jammier, with less bitterness.
Barossa Shiraz
Barossa Shiraz scores closest to Negroamaro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Sparkling Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less oaky.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Lambrusco
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Franciacorta
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Sagrantino
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 fuller and richer.
Tawny Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less tannic and softer.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less oaky.
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.
Tinta Negra
Tinta Negra scores closest to Negroamaro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less tannic and softer.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Tinta Barroca
Tinta Barroca scores closest to Negroamaro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Tinto Cão
Tinto Cão scores closest to Negroamaro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
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 drier, and more fruit-driven.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Barbaresco
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Nebbiolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Barolo
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.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Sagrantino
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 more aromatic.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Montefalco Sagrantino
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 floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less oaky.
Barbaresco
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Nebbiolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Rioja Gran Reserva
Rioja Gran Reserva scores closest to Negroamaro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Chianti Classico Riserva
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Taurasi
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Barolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Primitivo
curatedIts Puglian neighbour and blending partner.
Expect: Sweeter and jammier, with less bitterness.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
California Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Negroamaro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
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.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Ribera del Duero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
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, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fuller and richer.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
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, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fuller and richer.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Ribera del Duero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Priorat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Châteauneuf-du-Pape scores closest to Negroamaro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
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.