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 moving away from too plain or too simple, too austere 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.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Primitivo
curatedIts Puglian neighbour and blending partner.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less austere.
- A little less savoury or funky.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less austere.
- About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Primitivo
curatedIts Puglian neighbour and blending partner.
Expect: Sweeter and jammier, with less bitterness.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less oaky.
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.
Muscat Bailey A
Muscat Bailey A scores closest to Negroamaro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir) scores closest to Negroamaro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Barbera
Both come from the same country.
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.
Muscat Bailey A
Muscat Bailey A scores closest to Negroamaro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir) scores closest to Negroamaro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Cru Beaujolais
Cru Beaujolais scores closest to Negroamaro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
Primitivo di Manduria
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.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Barossa Shiraz
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Primitivo
curatedIts Puglian neighbour and blending partner.
Expect: Sweeter and jammier, with less bitterness.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Argentine Malbec
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.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less oaky.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Toro
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.
Barbera d’Alba
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Barbera d’Asti
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Barbera
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Blaufränkisch
Blaufränkisch scores closest to Negroamaro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Primitivo
curatedIts Puglian neighbour and blending partner.
Expect: Sweeter and jammier, with less bitterness.
Primitivo di Manduria
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.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
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 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 drier.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and less oaky.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Sparkling Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less oaky.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less oaky.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, 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.
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 restrained in fruit.
Corvinone
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Barossa Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
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 less oaky.
Syrah
Syrah scores closest to Negroamaro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Negroamaro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Barbaresco
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
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 more restrained in fruit, and less oaky.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less oaky.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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 more savoury, and drier.
Chianti Classico Riserva
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and drier.
Taurasi
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and drier.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and drier.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Primitivo
curatedIts Puglian neighbour and blending partner.
Expect: Sweeter and jammier, with less bitterness.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
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
curatedIts Puglian neighbour and blending partner.
Expect: Sweeter and jammier, with less bitterness.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less oaky.
Primitivo di Manduria
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.
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.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less oaky.
Primitivo di Manduria
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.
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 more savoury.
Ribera del Duero
Ribera del Duero scores closest to Negroamaro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Priorat
Priorat scores closest to Negroamaro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
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.