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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 and too sharp or acidic.

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.

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.

Negroamaro

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.

Rioja

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.

Rioja Reserva

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.

Melnik

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.

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.

Mavrud

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.

Bekaa Valley Red

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

Rioja Reserva

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

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

Melnik

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

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

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.

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.

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 riper and less green.

Spätburgunder (German 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.

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.

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cru Beaujolais

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

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.

Ribera del Duero

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

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

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.

Similar but less tannic

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

Nero d’Avola

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 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.

Rioja Crianza

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Rioja Gran Reserva

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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.

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.

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

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

Sagrantino

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

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

Tannat

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

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 fresher.

Etna Rosso

Both come from the same country.

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

Nerello Mascalese

Both come from the same country.

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

Langhe Nebbiolo

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.

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.

Douro red

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

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

Fetească Neagră

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

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

Lambrusco

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 less tannic and softer.

Negroamaro

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 riper and less green, and sweeter.

Sagrantino

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

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 rounder and creamier in texture.

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.

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.

Cornalin

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

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

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.

Pinotage

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

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

Similar but more aromatic

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

Syrah

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

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

Malbec

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.

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 more tannic and structured.

Similar but more restrained

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

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 more aromatic.

Rioja

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

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

Rioja Reserva

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

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

Melnik

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less 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.

Douro red

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

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

Syrah

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

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

Touriga Franca

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

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

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 less tannic and softer, and riper and less green.

Northern Rhône Syrah

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

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

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.

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.

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.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

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 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 more tannic and structured.

Chianti Classico Riserva

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 herbal and green.

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 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 more tannic and structured.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Priorat

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

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

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.