If you like this, try…

Wines like Barbera d’Alba

Barbera grown in the Langhe alongside Nebbiolo, riper and rounder than the Asti version. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

← Back to Barbera d’Alba

Refine

What do you like about Barbera d’Alba?

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 rich dark fruit The bright red fruit How smooth and soft it is How fresh and crisp it is

But it’s a bit…

too jammy or sweet-tasting too tart or sour-fruited too soft or too easy too sharp or acidic too oaky or woody too austere

Clear all

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 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.
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 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.
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 fresh, crisp acidity and the rich, ripe dark fruit, while moving away from too sharp or acidic and too oaky or woody.

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.

Montsant

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
Has some of the rich, ripe dark fruit, though less of it.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.
A little less oaky or woody.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Has noticeably less of the fresh, crisp acidity.
Has some of the rich, ripe dark fruit, though less of it.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.
A little less oaky or woody.

Morgon

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
Has some of the rich, ripe dark fruit, though less of it.
A little less sharp or acidic.
A little less oaky or woody.

Bonarda

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

Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
Has some of the rich, ripe dark fruit, though less of it.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.
A little less oaky or woody.

Montepulciano

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

Has noticeably less of the fresh, crisp acidity.
Has some of the rich, ripe dark fruit, though less of it.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.
A little less oaky or woody.

Dolcetto

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Has noticeably less of the fresh, crisp acidity.
Has some of the rich, ripe dark fruit, though less of it.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.
A little less oaky or woody.

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.
Has some of the rich, ripe dark fruit, though less of it.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.
A little less oaky or woody.

Barbera d’Asti

curated

The same variety a few miles west, on different soils.

Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Has some of the rich, ripe dark fruit, though less of it.
More sharp or acidic, not less.
About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Montsant

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Morgon

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Bonarda

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

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

Montsant

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Morgon

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Bonarda

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

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

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, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Muscat Bailey A

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

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

Cinsault

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cru Beaujolais

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

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, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

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

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

Beaujolais

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Gamay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Toro

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

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more oaky.

Argentine Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and softer and rounder.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and softer and rounder.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and softer and rounder.

Similar but less tannic

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

Fiano

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

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

Fiano di Avellino

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

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

Pfalz Riesling

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

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

Godello

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

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Montsant

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Dolcetto

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Negroamaro

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

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

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

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.

Barbera d’Asti

curated

The same variety a few miles west, on different soils.

Expect: Riper fruit, more oak and slightly softer acidity.

Barbera

Both are made from barbera, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Valpolicella

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.

Rosso di Montalcino

Both sit in the same style family.

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.

Montsant

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Toro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more oaky.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Bonarda

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

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

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 spicier, and more oaky.

Lambrusco

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

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

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 oaky.

Franciacorta

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

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Ruby Port

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

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

Vintage Port

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and sweeter.

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Corvinone

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 more restrained in fruit.

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 sit in the same style family.

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

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Corvinone

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

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

Morgon

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Barbera d’Alba across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Barbera d’Alba across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and softer and rounder.

Barossa Shiraz

Barossa Shiraz scores closest to Barbera d’Alba across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and softer and rounder.

Bolgheri

Both come from the same country.

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

Similar but more aromatic

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

Morgon

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Cabernet Franc

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

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

Gamay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Muscat Bailey A

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

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

Similar but more restrained

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

Montsant

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Bonarda

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

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

Montepulciano

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 more restrained in fruit.

Similar but more floral

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

Cabernet Franc

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

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

Gamay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Bierzo Mencía

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

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

Mencía

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

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Negroamaro

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

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

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

Dão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Sagrantino

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

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Petite Sirah

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

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

California Pinot Noir

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Zinfandel

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and softer and rounder.

Primitivo

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

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and spicier.

Change the place

Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Barbera

Both are made from barbera, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

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

Barbera d’Asti

curated

The same variety a few miles west, on different soils.

Expect: Riper fruit, more oak and slightly softer acidity.

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Barbera d’Asti

curated

The same variety a few miles west, on different soils.

Expect: Riper fruit, more oak and slightly softer acidity.

Barbera

Both are made from barbera, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

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

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

California Pinot Noir

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Cru Beaujolais

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Something more adventurous

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

Montsant

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Morgon

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Bonarda

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

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

Montepulciano

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 more restrained in fruit.

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 sit in the same style family.

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

Morgon

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Bonarda

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

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

Montepulciano

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 more restrained in fruit.

A step up

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

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and softer and rounder.

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

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

Priorat

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Argentine Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, 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.