If you like this, try…
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.
Refine
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.
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 savoury, non-fruity character, while moving away from too peppery and too savoury or funky.
- You said you like the savoury, non-fruity character and that it is too savoury or funky. Both are about savoury character, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
- You said you like the savoury, non-fruity character and that it is too savoury or funky. Both are about fruit intensity, 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.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Toro
Both are made from tempranillo, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
- Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Uco Valley Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Bobal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Substantially less peppery.
- 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.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less tannic and softer.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less tannic and softer.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Change the structure
Same idea, different weight, grip or freshness.
Similar but lighter
Keeps the character but reduces weight, alcohol and density in the mouth.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Cru Beaujolais
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more floral.
Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fresher and more acidic.
Loire Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fresher and more acidic.
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 spicy, and fresher.
Loire Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fresher and more acidic.
Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter.
English still Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
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 less spicy, and fruitier.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Barossa Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fruitier.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fruitier.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less oaky.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Barbera d’Alba
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
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 less spicy, and fruitier.
Touriga Nacional
curatedA blending partner in Portugal, sharing dark fruit and structure.
Expect: More floral, more concentrated and considerably more tannic.
Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.
Madiran
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Mencía
curatedA 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.
Bobal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Uco Valley Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more floral.
Refosco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Marsanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.
Pedro Ximénez
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Grenache Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.
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 less spicy, 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 spicier.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.
English sparkling rosé
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more sparkling.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.
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.
Bierzo Mencía
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more herbal and green.
Bobal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
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.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
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 less spicy, and fruitier.
Barossa Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fruitier.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fruitier.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, 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.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more aromatic.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
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.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Bierzo Mencía
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Uco Valley Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more floral.
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 less spicy.
Naoussa Xinomavro
Naoussa Xinomavro scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less spicy.
Xinomavro
Xinomavro scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less spicy.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less spicy.
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 fruitier, and less spicy.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less tannic and softer.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
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 spicier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Dão
Both are made from tempranillo, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.
Douro red
Both are made from tempranillo, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, 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 spicy, 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 spicier, and fuller and richer.
Rioja
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 savoury, and spicier.
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 savoury, and spicier.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
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 less spicy, and fruitier.
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 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.
Alentejo red
Both are made from tempranillo, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and lighter.
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.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less tannic and softer.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
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.
Cru Beaujolais
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more floral.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Mencía
curatedA 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.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
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 less spicy, and fruitier.
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.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
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 less spicy, and fruitier.
Uco Valley Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more floral.
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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and spicier.
Priorat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and spicier.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Amarone della Valpolicella scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more savoury.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Châteauneuf-du-Pape scores closest to Tempranillo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more savoury.
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.