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Wines like Tempranillo

Spain’s leading red variety, giving savoury, leather-and-cherry wines that are shaped as much by oak ageing as by the grape itself. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

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What do you like about Tempranillo?

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…

The firm, grippy structure The vanilla and oak The savoury, meaty side

But it’s a bit…

too drying or too tannic too oaky or woody too peppery too earthy or musty too savoury or funky too austere

Clear all

What these words mean

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 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.
That it is properly dry: No perceptible sugar at all. Almost all red wine is dry and a good deal of white wine is not, which is why this is a more useful thing to say about a white than about a red.

Looking for something keeping the vanilla, toast and oak character and the firm tannic structure, while moving away from too savoury or funky and too oaky or woody.

You said you like the vanilla, toast and oak character and that it is too oaky or woody. Both are about oak influence, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
You said you like the vanilla, toast and oak character and that it is too oaky or woody. Both are about spice, 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.

Malbec

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

Has some of the vanilla, toast and oak character, though less of it.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
A little less oaky or woody.

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Has noticeably less of the vanilla, toast and oak character.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less oaky or woody.

Fetească Neagră

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

Has some of the vanilla, toast and oak character, though less of it.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
A little less oaky or woody.

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Has some of the vanilla, toast and oak character, though less of it.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
A little less oaky or woody.

Uco Valley Malbec

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

Has noticeably less of the vanilla, toast and oak character.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less oaky or woody.

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Has noticeably less of the vanilla, toast and oak character.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less oaky or woody.

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Has noticeably less of the vanilla, toast and oak character.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less oaky or woody.

Sangiovese

curated

Both are savoury, cherry-fruited, food-oriented Mediterranean reds of medium to full body.

Has some of the vanilla, toast and oak character, though less of it.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
A little less oaky or woody.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Malbec

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

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

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Fetească Neagră

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

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

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

Malbec

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

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

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Fetească Neagră

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

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

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Change the structure

Same idea, different weight, grip or freshness.

Similar but lighter

Keeps the character but reduces weight, alcohol and density in the mouth.

Dolcetto

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.

Cru Beaujolais

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

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

Mencía

curated

A Spanish red for someone who finds Rioja too oaky and wants freshness instead.

Expect: Much lighter and higher in acid, with floral red fruit and a graphite edge.

Loire Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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

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

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

Dolcetto

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.

Loire Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

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

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.

Toro

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

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

Touriga Nacional

curated

A blending partner in Portugal, sharing dark fruit and structure.

Expect: More floral, more concentrated and considerably more tannic.

Barossa Shiraz

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

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

Similar but less tannic

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

Argentine Malbec

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

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

Rioja Crianza

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

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

Alentejo red

Both are made from tempranillo, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Merlot

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

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Touriga Nacional

curated

A blending partner in Portugal, sharing dark fruit and structure.

Expect: More floral, more concentrated and considerably more tannic.

Toro

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

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

Petit Verdot

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Priorat

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 more savoury.

Similar but fresher

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

Argentine Cabernet Franc

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more floral.

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend

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

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

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Similar but softer

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

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.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.

Toro

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

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

Barossa Shiraz

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

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

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

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

Lambrusco scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Port

Both are made from tempranillo, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and fruitier.

Similar but sweeter

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

Port

Both are made from tempranillo, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.

Touriga Franca

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

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

Touriga Nacional

curated

A blending partner in Portugal, sharing dark fruit and structure.

Expect: More floral, more concentrated and considerably more tannic.

Late Bottled Vintage Port

Both are made from tempranillo, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Montsant

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Malbec

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

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

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Toro

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

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

Barossa Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.

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 spicier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Syrah

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

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

Barbaresco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more restrained

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

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more aromatic.

Fetească Neagră

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more aromatic.

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more aromatic.

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, 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 spicier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Uco Valley Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more floral.

Argentine Cabernet Franc

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more floral.

Touriga Franca

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

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Chianti Classico Riserva

Chianti Classico Riserva scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less spicy.

Taurasi

Taurasi scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Naoussa Xinomavro

Naoussa Xinomavro scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Toro

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

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.

Malbec

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

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

Change the place

Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.

Same grape, somewhere else

Holds the variety constant and changes the place, which is often a bigger change than swapping the grape.

Alentejo red

Both are made from tempranillo, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Douro red

Both are made from tempranillo, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Dão

Both are made from tempranillo, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more savoury.

Port

Both are made from tempranillo, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Dão

Both are made from tempranillo, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more savoury.

Rioja Crianza

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

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

Rioja

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

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

Rioja Reserva

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

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

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Toro

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

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

Douro red

Both are made from tempranillo, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Ribera del Duero

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

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

Port

Both are made from tempranillo, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.

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.

Malbec

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

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

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Rioja Crianza

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

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

Something more adventurous

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

Touriga Nacional

curated

A blending partner in Portugal, sharing dark fruit and structure.

Expect: More floral, more concentrated and considerably more tannic.

Fetească Neagră

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

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

Uco Valley Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more floral.

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

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.

Fetească Neagră

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

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

Uco Valley Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more floral.

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

A step up

The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.

Ribera del Duero

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

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

Priorat

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 more savoury.

Amarone della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.