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 firm tannic structure and the savoury, non-fruity character, while moving away from too earthy or musty, too heavy and too austere.
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.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
- Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less austere.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- A little less heavy.
- Substantially less austere.
Dolcetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less heavy.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of the firm tannic structure.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- A little less heavy.
- Substantially less austere.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- About as heavy as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less austere.
Dornfelder
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
- Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less austere.
Rondinella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
- Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less austere.
Rondo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
- Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less austere.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
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 less tannic and softer.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Dolcetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
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 less tannic and softer.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Dolcetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.
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.
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 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 drier, and more fruit-driven.
Rondinella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
Dornfelder
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
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
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 less tannic and softer.
Dornfelder
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
Rondo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
Fer Servadou
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Touriga Nacional
Touriga Nacional scores closest to Negroamaro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.
Primitivo di Manduria
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more fruit-driven.
Dalmatian Plavac Mali
Dalmatian Plavac Mali scores closest to Negroamaro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Valpolicella Ripasso
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 fuller and richer.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more fruit-driven.
Tinta Negra
Tinta Negra scores closest to Negroamaro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.
Chilean Carmenère
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Touriga Nacional
Touriga Nacional scores closest to Negroamaro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.
Sagrantino
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 tannic and structured.
Montefalco Sagrantino
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.
Baga
Baga scores closest to Negroamaro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and drier.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Saperavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Langhe Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.
Rosso di Montalcino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Mondeuse Noire
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fuller and richer.
Primitivo di Manduria
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more fruit-driven.
Malbec
Malbec scores closest to Negroamaro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Dalmatian Plavac Mali
Dalmatian Plavac Mali scores closest to Negroamaro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
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 less tannic and softer.
Sparkling Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fuller and richer.
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 drier.
English sparkling rosé
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and drier.
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 more fruit-driven, and less tannic and softer.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fuller and richer.
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.
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 less tannic and softer.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.
Dornfelder
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fuller and richer.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.
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.
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 less tannic and softer.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Dolcetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fuller and richer.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Dornfelder
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Naoussa Xinomavro
Naoussa Xinomavro scores closest to Negroamaro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Xinomavro
Xinomavro 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.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Touriga Nacional
Touriga Nacional scores closest to Negroamaro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
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 fuller and richer.
Zinfandel
Zinfandel scores closest to Negroamaro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fuller and richer.
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.
Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Chianti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
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 less tannic and softer.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Dolcetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.
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.
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 less tannic and softer.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Dolcetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.
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 drier.
Ribera del Duero
Ribera del Duero scores closest to Negroamaro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Châteauneuf-du-Pape scores closest to Negroamaro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Priorat
Priorat scores closest to Negroamaro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
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.