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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 firm tannic structure and the fresh, crisp acidity, while moving away from too green or grassy, too sharp or acidic and too savoury or funky.

You said you like the fresh, crisp acidity and that it is too sharp or acidic. Both are about acidity, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
You said you like the fresh, crisp acidity and that it is too sharp or acidic. Both are about perceived freshness, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.

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.

Nero di Troia

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

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Pinotage

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

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Fetească Neagră

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

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Tempranillo

curated

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

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Has noticeably less of the fresh, crisp acidity.
Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.
About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.

Super Tuscan

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

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
About as green or grassy as the wine you started from.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Uco Valley Malbec

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

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
Substantially less green or grassy.
A little less sharp or acidic.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Bobal

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

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
Substantially less green or grassy.
A little less sharp or acidic.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Touriga Franca

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

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

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.

Pinotage

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.

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.

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.

Different grape, similar feel

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

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.

Pinotage

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.

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.

Uco Valley Malbec

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

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

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

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

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

Colorino

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 riper and less green.

Trousseau

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

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

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.

Cru Beaujolais

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less tannic and softer.

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 less tannic and softer.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Mondeuse Noire

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

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.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Petit Verdot

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and riper and less green.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fruitier.

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 less tannic and softer, and riper and less green.

Rioja Crianza

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

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

California Pinot Noir

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

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

Valpolicella Ripasso

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

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

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 more tannic and structured, and riper and less green.

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and riper and less green.

Petite Sirah

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 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.

Mondeuse Noire

Mondeuse Noire scores closest to Sangiovese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Graciano

Graciano scores closest to Sangiovese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Langhe Nebbiolo

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 fresher.

Refosco

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 fresher.

Similar but softer

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

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 less tannic and softer, and riper and less green.

Petit Verdot

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and riper and less green.

Pinotage

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

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

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 tannic and softer.

Lambrusco

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

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Port

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

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 more fruit-driven, and riper and less green.

Pinotage

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.

Touriga Nacional

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, 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.

Bobal

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

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

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.

Colorino

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 riper and less green.

Broad-leaved Melnik

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

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

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 riper and less green, and less oaky.

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.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fruitier.

Ribera del Duero

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

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

Similar but more aromatic

More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.

Malbec

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

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

Syrah

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

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, 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.

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and less floral.

Similar but more restrained

For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.

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 more aromatic.

Pinotage

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

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

Fetească Neagră

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

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

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 more aromatic.

Similar but more floral

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

Malbec

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

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

Uco Valley Malbec

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

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

Touriga Franca

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

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

Petit Verdot

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and riper and less green.

Similar but more savoury

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

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.

Rioja Gran Reserva

Rioja Gran Reserva scores closest to Sangiovese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less tannic and softer.

Northern Rhône Syrah

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione

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

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

Similar but fruitier

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

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 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.

Pinotage

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.

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.

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 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 more savoury.

Chianti

Both are made from sangiovese, and 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 more savoury.

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.

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 more savoury, and fresher and more acidic.

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 more savoury, and fresher and more acidic.

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.

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.

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.

Malbec

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

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

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fruitier.

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Something more adventurous

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

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.

Pinotage

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.

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.

Uco Valley Malbec

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

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

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.

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.

Pinotage

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.

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.

Uco Valley Malbec

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

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

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 more savoury, and riper and less green.

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 more savoury, and riper and less green.

Priorat

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more tannic and structured.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and softer and rounder.

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.