If you like this, try…
Wines like Barbera d’Asti
Piedmont’s everyday red at its most serious — very high acidity, almost no tannin, and built entirely for food. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Barbera d’Asti?
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 bright red fruit
- Raspberry, redcurrant, sour cherry — lighter and sharper than dark fruit, usually from a cooler place or an earlier picking.
- 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.
- 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 full and weighty it is
- Body is how much the wine seems to fill your mouth — the difference between skimmed and whole milk. It comes mostly from alcohol and ripeness.
- 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 moving away from too austere, too heavy and too tart or sour-fruited.
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.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less austere.
- A little less heavy.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less austere.
- About as heavy as the wine you started from.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less austere.
- About as heavy as the wine you started from.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less austere.
- More heavy, not less.
- Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.
Rondinella
Both come from the same country.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less heavy.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less heavy.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less austere.
- About as heavy as the wine you started from.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less austere.
- More heavy, not less.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and stronger and warmer.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and broader and softer.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and stronger and warmer.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and broader and softer.
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.
Rondinella
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Muscat Bailey A
Muscat Bailey A scores closest to Barbera d’Asti across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Dornfelder
Dornfelder scores closest to Barbera d’Asti across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
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.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Grolleau
Grolleau scores closest to Barbera d’Asti across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Red Burgundy
Red Burgundy scores closest to Barbera d’Asti across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Cru Beaujolais
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and broader and softer.
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 drier.
Super Tuscan
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and broader and softer.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more floral.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
Vidal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
Welschriesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and stronger and warmer.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and broader and softer.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Lambrusco
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Franciacorta
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and stronger and warmer.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
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.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and stronger and warmer.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
Rondinella
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Rioja
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Rioja Reserva
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Rioja Gran Reserva
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Barbaresco
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Nebbiolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Barolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir scores closest to Barbera d’Asti across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
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 lighter, and broader and softer.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and stronger and warmer.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and broader and softer.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir scores closest to Barbera d’Asti across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc scores closest to Barbera d’Asti across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and broader and softer.
Chianti Classico Riserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Taurasi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
California Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Barbera d’Asti across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Zinfandel
Zinfandel scores closest to Barbera d’Asti across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Primitivo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Change the place
Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
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.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
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.
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.
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir scores closest to Barbera d’Asti across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc scores closest to Barbera d’Asti across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Sangiovese
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Red Bordeaux
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and stronger and warmer.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and broader and softer.
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.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and stronger and warmer.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and broader and softer.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Ribera del Duero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and broader and softer.
Priorat
Priorat scores closest to Barbera d’Asti across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Super Tuscan
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and broader and softer.
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.