If you like this, try…
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.
Refine
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.
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 moving away from too green or grassy 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
curatedA comparable savoury, medium-to-full Mediterranean red built around cherry fruit and oak ageing.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Negroamaro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- 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.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Melnik
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Fetească Neagră
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Mavrud
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially 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
curatedA 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 rounder and creamier in texture.
Negroamaro
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 less spicy.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Tempranillo
curatedA 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.
Negroamaro
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 less spicy.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more 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.
Colorino
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 less oaky.
Rondinella
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 less oaky.
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 riper and less green.
Canaiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and riper and less green.
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.
Schiava
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 fresher.
Grolleau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher.
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.
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 riper and less green, and fruitier.
Douro red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Priorat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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.
California Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
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.
Rioja Gran Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
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 less spicy.
Mavrud
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Tannat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Madiran
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
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.
Lagrein
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and riper and less green.
Corvina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and riper and less green.
Cru Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and riper and less green.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
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 riper and less green, and fruitier.
Bekaa Valley Red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Bonarda
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.
California Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
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 riper and less green, and sweeter.
Lambrusco
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and riper and less green.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and riper and less green.
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 fresher.
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 riper and less green, and sweeter.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and sweeter.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and sweeter.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and sweeter.
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.
Broad-leaved Melnik
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Colorino
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 more fruit-driven.
Corvinone
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 more fruit-driven.
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.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Tempranillo
curatedA 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 less oaky.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and riper and less green.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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 riper and less green, and fresher.
Nebbiolo
curatedBoth 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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less tannic and softer.
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 fresher.
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 fresher.
Chasselas
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 riper and less green.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher.
Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and riper and less green.
Douro red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Rioja Gran Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Northern Rhône Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher.
Taurasi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and riper and less green.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and riper and less green.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
California Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Fetească Neagră
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 less oaky.
Change the place
Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
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.
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.
Brunello 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 riper and less green.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
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 both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
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 more herbal and green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Brunello 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 riper and less green.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
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.
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.
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.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Tempranillo
curatedA 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 Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Negroamaro
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 less spicy.
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.
Melnik
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Fetească Neagră
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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.
Negroamaro
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 less spicy.
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.
Melnik
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Fetească Neagră
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and rounder and creamier in texture.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Priorat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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 riper and less green, and fruitier.
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 softer and rounder.
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.