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Wines like Sangiovese

Italy’s most planted variety and the grape behind Chianti and Brunello — high in acid, firm in tannin, and built for food. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

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What do you like about Sangiovese?

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.

I like…

How fresh and crisp it is The firm, grippy structure The savoury, meaty side

But it’s a bit…

too sharp or acidic too oaky or woody too green or grassy too peppery too earthy or musty too savoury or funky

Clear all

What these words mean

How fresh and crisp it is: Acidity is what makes your mouth water and makes a wine feel refreshing rather than heavy. It is the single most useful thing to know about your own taste.
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.
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 herbal, green side: Grass, blackcurrant leaf, green pepper, mint. It divides people more sharply than almost any other character.
The spice: Black pepper, clove, cinnamon. Some of it is the grape — the pepper in Syrah is a measured compound called rotundone — and some is the barrel.
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.

Looking for something keeping the savoury, non-fruity character, while moving away from too green or grassy, too earthy or musty and too sharp or acidic.

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.

Tempranillo

curated

A comparable savoury, medium-to-full Mediterranean red built around cherry fruit and oak ageing.

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less green or grassy.
About as earthy or musty as the wine you started from.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Uruguayan Tannat

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Tinta Negra

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Amarone della Valpolicella

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 green or grassy.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Nero d’Avola

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Nero di Troia

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Rioja

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less green or grassy.
About as earthy or musty as the wine you started from.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Valais Cornalin

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
A little less sharp or acidic.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.

Tempranillo

curated

A comparable savoury, medium-to-full Mediterranean red built around cherry fruit and oak ageing.

Expect: Softer acidity and rounder tannin, with leather and vanilla rather than tomato leaf.

Uruguayan Tannat

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Tinta Negra

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Amarone della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.

Different grape, similar feel

Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.

Uruguayan Tannat

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Tinta Negra

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Tempranillo

curated

A comparable savoury, medium-to-full Mediterranean red built around cherry fruit and oak ageing.

Expect: Softer acidity and rounder tannin, with leather and vanilla rather than tomato leaf.

Amarone della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.

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.

Dolcetto

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more fruit-driven.

Colorino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and riper and less green.

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 riper and less green.

Trousseau

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, 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.

Trousseau

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Schiava

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and riper and less green.

Grolleau

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and riper and less green.

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Uruguayan Tannat

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Amarone della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.

Petit Verdot

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Super Tuscan

Both are made from sangiovese, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.

Similar but less tannic

For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.

Nero d’Avola

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Rioja Crianza

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Tinta Negra

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more fruit-driven.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Petit Verdot

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Montefalco Sagrantino

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.

Sagrantino

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.

Tannat

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.

Similar but fresher

Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.

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.

Rosso di Montalcino

Both are made from sangiovese, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.

Barbera

curated

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.

Barbera d’Asti

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.

Valais Cornalin

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and riper and less green.

Similar but softer

Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.

Amarone della Valpolicella

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.

Nero d’Avola

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Tempranillo

curated

A comparable savoury, medium-to-full Mediterranean red built around cherry fruit and oak ageing.

Expect: Softer acidity and rounder tannin, with leather and vanilla rather than tomato leaf.

Uruguayan Tannat

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

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 fruitier.

Lambrusco

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fresher.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fresher.

Franciacorta

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Similar but sweeter

Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.

Tawny Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Tinta Negra

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Sagrantino

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.

Amarone della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.

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

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Nero di Troia

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Cornalin

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Colorino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and riper and less green.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Tempranillo

curated

A comparable savoury, medium-to-full Mediterranean red built around cherry fruit and oak ageing.

Expect: Softer acidity and rounder tannin, with leather and vanilla rather than tomato leaf.

Rioja

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.

Rioja Reserva

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.

Super Tuscan

Both are made from sangiovese, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.

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 softer and rounder, and more fruit-driven.

Syrah

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and riper and less green.

Pinot Noir

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and riper and less green.

Nebbiolo

curated

Both are pale-ish, extremely high-acid, tannic Italian reds that demand food and time.

Expect: More tannic still, more perfumed, and considerably more expensive.

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 riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Trebbiano d’Abruzzo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, 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 riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Palomino Fino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and riper and less green.

Similar but more floral

Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.

Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more fruit-driven.

Hawke’s Bay Syrah

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Petit Verdot

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Syrah

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and riper and less green.

Similar but more savoury

Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.

Rioja Gran Reserva

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and earthier.

Xinomavro

curated

A high-acid, tannic, tomato-and-olive-scented red that occupies very similar territory.

Expect: Even more austere when young, with a distinctly Greek savoury character.

Taurasi

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and earthier.

Barolo

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and earthier.

Similar but fruitier

More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.

Nero d’Avola

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.

Nero di Troia

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.

Rioja Crianza

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.

Fetească Neagră

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.

Change the place

Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.

Same grape, cooler climate

Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

Both are made from sangiovese, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and riper and less green.

Chianti

Both are made from sangiovese, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.

Rosso di Montalcino

Both are made from sangiovese, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.

Brunello di Montalcino

Both are made from sangiovese, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and earthier.

Same grape, warmer climate

Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.

Super Tuscan

Both are made from sangiovese, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

Both are made from sangiovese, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and riper and less green.

Rosso di Montalcino

Both are made from sangiovese, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.

Brunello di Montalcino

Both are made from sangiovese, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fresher and more acidic.

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.

Tempranillo

curated

A comparable savoury, medium-to-full Mediterranean red built around cherry fruit and oak ageing.

Expect: Softer acidity and rounder tannin, with leather and vanilla rather than tomato leaf.

Amarone della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.

Rioja

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.

Rioja Reserva

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.

Something more adventurous

Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.

Uruguayan Tannat

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Tinta Negra

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Nero d’Avola

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Nero di Troia

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, 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.

Uruguayan Tannat

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Tinta Negra

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Nero d’Avola

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Nero di Troia

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, 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

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.

Ribera del Duero

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.

Priorat

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and riper and less green.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Châteauneuf-du-Pape scores closest to Sangiovese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and earthier.

How these are chosen

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.