If you like this, try…
Wines like Blaufränkisch
Central Europe’s finest red: peppery, high-acid and structured, with sour cherry fruit and real ageing potential. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
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What do you like about Blaufränkisch?
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
- 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 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.
- 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.
- 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 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.
Looking for something keeping the fresh, crisp acidity and the firm tannic structure, while moving away from too sharp or acidic and too peppery.
- 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.
Rioja
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.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less peppery.
Rioja Reserva
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.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less peppery.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less peppery.
Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less peppery.
Melnik
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less peppery.
Fetească Neagră
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less peppery.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less peppery.
Uruguayan Tannat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less peppery.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.
Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and fuller and richer.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.
Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and fuller and richer.
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.
Poulsard
Poulsard scores closest to Blaufränkisch across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
País
País scores closest to Blaufränkisch across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Schiava
Schiava scores closest to Blaufränkisch across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Cinsault
Cinsault scores closest to Blaufränkisch across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
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.
Fer Servadou
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fresher.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fresher.
Cru Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less spicy.
Trousseau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fresher.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Bolgheri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more herbal and green.
Douro red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more floral.
Fetească Neagră
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
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 less tannic and softer, and fuller and richer.
Rioja Crianza
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Nero d’Avola
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
New Zealand 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 less tannic and softer, and fresher.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Priorat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.
Petit Verdot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.
Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less spicy.
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.
Chianti Classico
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Langhe Nebbiolo
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Etna Rosso
Both sit in the same style family.
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.
Bolgheri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more herbal and green.
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 less tannic and softer, and fuller and richer.
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.
Douro red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more floral.
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 less tannic and softer, and sweeter.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Blaufränkisch across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fresher.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Blaufränkisch across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fresher.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and fuller and richer.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Port
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fuller and richer.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and sweeter.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, 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.
Broad-leaved Melnik
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and earthier.
Colorino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Cornalin
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Bobal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fresher.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fuller and richer.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fuller and richer.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fuller and richer.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.
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 softer and rounder, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and fuller and richer.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fresher.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more tannic and structured.
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.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fuller and richer.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fuller and richer.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fuller and richer.
Melnik
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fuller and richer.
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 softer and rounder, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Douro red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more floral.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fresher.
Dão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fresher.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.
Mourvèdre
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fuller and richer.
Melnik
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Bolgheri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more herbal and green.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fuller and richer.
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 less tannic and softer, and fuller and richer.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fuller and richer.
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.
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.
Blaufränkisch
Both are made from blaufränkisch, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and spicier.
Egri Bikavér
Both are made from blaufränkisch, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fresher.
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.
Egri Bikavér
Both are made from blaufränkisch, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fresher.
Blaufränkisch
Both are made from blaufränkisch, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, 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.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.
Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and fuller and richer.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.
Melnik
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and earthier.
Fetească Neagră
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fuller and richer.
Uruguayan Tannat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.
Melnik
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and earthier.
Fetească Neagră
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fuller and richer.
Uruguayan Tannat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Red Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more herbal and green.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.
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.