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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 fresh, crisp acidity and the savoury, non-fruity character, while moving away from too oaky or woody, too sharp or acidic and too green or grassy.

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.

Negroamaro

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

Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Substantially less green or grassy.

Carignan

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

Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
A little less sharp or acidic.
Substantially less green or grassy.

Cahors

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

Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
A little less sharp or acidic.
Substantially less green or grassy.

Dão

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

Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
A little less sharp or acidic.
Substantially less green or grassy.

Broad-leaved Melnik

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

Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Substantially less green or grassy.

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Substantially less green or grassy.

Australian Pinot Noir

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

Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
A little less oaky or woody.
A little less sharp or acidic.
Substantially less green or grassy.

Valais Cornalin

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

Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
A little less oaky or woody.
A little less sharp or acidic.
Substantially less green or grassy.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

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.

Carignan

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

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

Cahors

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

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

Dão

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

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

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.

Carignan

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

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

Cahors

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

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

Dão

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.

País

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

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

Poulsard

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, 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.

Cru Beaujolais

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

English still Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

País

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

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

Pinot Noir

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

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

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 more oaky, and riper and less green.

Douro red

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

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

Priorat

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

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

Petit Verdot

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but less tannic

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

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Montepulciano

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.

Valpolicella Ripasso

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.

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

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

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

Sagrantino

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

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

Tannat

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, 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.

Etna Rosso

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.

Nerello Mascalese

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.

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.

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.

Similar but softer

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

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.

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.

Valpolicella Ripasso

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.

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.

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

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 fresher.

Similar but sweeter

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

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Sagrantino

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

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

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

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.

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.

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Broad-leaved Melnik

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Carignan

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.

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

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Rioja Reserva

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Ribera del Duero

Ribera del Duero scores closest to Sangiovese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Similar but more aromatic

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

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.

Barbaresco

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 oaky.

Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, 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 more oaky.

Similar but more restrained

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

Trebbiano d’Abruzzo

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.

Vernaccia di San Gimignano

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.

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.

Carignan

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

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

Similar but more floral

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

Pinot Noir

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

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

Cahors

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

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

Dão

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

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

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 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.

Taurasi

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

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

Barolo

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

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

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 more savoury, and fresher and more acidic.

Similar but fruitier

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

Morgon

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

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

Negroamaro

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.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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

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

Chilean Pinot Noir

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

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.

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.

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 more oaky.

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 oaky.

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 oaky.

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Super Tuscan

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 oaky, and more fruit-driven.

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 oaky.

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 oaky.

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.

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.

Priorat

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

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

Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, 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.

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.

Carignan

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

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

Cahors

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

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

Dão

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.

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.

Carignan

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

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

Cahors

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

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

Dão

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.

Priorat

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

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

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 spicier.

Ribera del Duero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, 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.