If you like this, try…
Wines like Zweigelt
Austria’s most planted red: juicy, soft and cherry-scented, bred for reliability rather than grandeur. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Zweigelt?
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 rich dark fruit
- Blackberry, plum, black cherry — fruit that tastes ripe and generous rather than tart. It comes from warm-climate ripening and it is what most people mean when they call a red "fruity".
- The bright red fruit
- Raspberry, redcurrant, sour cherry — lighter and sharper than dark fruit, usually from a cooler place or an earlier picking.
- How light it is
- A wine you can drink without it feeling like a commitment. Usually lower in alcohol as well as lighter in the mouth.
- How smooth and soft it is
- Low tannin. Tannin is the drying, gum-gripping sensation in red wine — like strong tea. A smooth red has little of it.
- That it is not oaky
- No barrel character — just the fruit and the acidity. Chablis and Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc are the reference points.
- 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.
Looking for something moving away from too plain or too simple, too jammy or sweet-tasting and too light or thin.
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.
Super Tuscan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- A little less light or thin.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- A little less light or thin.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- A little less light or thin.
Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- More jammy or sweet-tasting, not less.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- More jammy or sweet-tasting, not less.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Barossa Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- More jammy or sweet-tasting, not less.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Super Tuscan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Super Tuscan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
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
País scores closest to Zweigelt across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Super Tuscan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
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.
Red Burgundy
Red Burgundy scores closest to Zweigelt across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir scores closest to Zweigelt across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir) scores closest to Zweigelt across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc scores closest to Zweigelt across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Super Tuscan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and softer and rounder.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more tannic and structured.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Barbera d’Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
Barbera d’Alba
Barbera d’Alba scores closest to Zweigelt across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter.
Barbera
Barbera scores closest to Zweigelt across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
Tawny Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Super Tuscan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Priorat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Baga
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Bairrada Baga
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Chianti Classico
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Barbera d’Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more tannic and structured.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more tannic and structured.
Barossa Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Sparkling Shiraz
Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Zweigelt across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter.
Super Tuscan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stiller.
Ribera del Duero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stiller.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and stiller.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Tawny Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
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
Bobal scores closest to Zweigelt across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Nero di Troia
Nero di Troia scores closest to Zweigelt across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Super Tuscan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Super Tuscan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
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.
Super Tuscan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
Red Bordeaux
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Petite Sirah
Petite Sirah scores closest to Zweigelt across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Primitivo
Primitivo scores closest to Zweigelt across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Primitivo di Manduria
Primitivo di Manduria scores closest to Zweigelt across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
California Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Zweigelt across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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.
Super Tuscan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less spicy.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less spicy.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Super Tuscan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.