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.
Refine
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 peppery, spicy character, while moving away from too peppery.
- You said you like the peppery, spicy character and that it is too peppery. Both are about spice, 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.
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.
- Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
- Substantially less peppery.
California Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
- Substantially less peppery.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
- Substantially less peppery.
Areni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
- Substantially less peppery.
Australian Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
- Substantially less peppery.
Rioja Crianza
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
- 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 peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
- Substantially less peppery.
Nero d’Avola
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
- 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.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and softer and rounder.
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 softer and rounder, and fuller and richer.
Rioja
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 fuller and richer.
Areni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, 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.
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 softer and rounder, and fuller and richer.
Rioja
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 fuller and richer.
Areni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less oaky.
Australian Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less tannic 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.
País
País scores closest to Blaufränkisch across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.
Valpolicella
Valpolicella scores closest to Blaufränkisch across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.
English still Pinot Noir
English still Pinot Noir scores closest to Blaufränkisch across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.
Poulsard
Poulsard scores closest to Blaufränkisch across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less tannic and softer.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less tannic and softer.
Trousseau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Mondeuse Noire
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and less oaky.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
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 softer and rounder, and fruitier.
Rioja
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 broader and softer.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and softer and rounder.
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 softer and rounder, and 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 softer and rounder, 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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and softer and rounder.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and softer and rounder.
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 more herbal and green, and fuller and richer.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Aglianico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and earthier.
Brunello di Montalcino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fuller and richer.
Taurasi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fuller and richer.
Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
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.
Red Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less tannic and softer.
Areni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less tannic and softer.
Sangiovese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and broader and softer.
Aglianico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more tannic and structured.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
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 fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Nemea Agiorgitiko
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 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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fuller and richer.
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 more herbal and green, and fuller and richer.
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 sweeter, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Blaufränkisch across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and stiller.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Blaufränkisch across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and stiller.
Egri Bikavér
Both are made from blaufränkisch, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Valpolicella Ripasso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fuller and richer.
Saperavi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.
Corvina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fuller and richer.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fuller and richer.
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.
Prokupac
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and softer and rounder.
Cornalin
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and softer and rounder.
Trousseau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and softer and rounder.
Broad-leaved Melnik
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fuller and richer.
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 softer and rounder.
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 softer and rounder.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
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.
Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Barolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more savoury.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and softer and rounder.
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.
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.
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 more aromatic, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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 more aromatic, and softer and rounder.
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 softer and rounder.
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 more aromatic, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and softer and rounder.
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.
Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more aromatic.
Barolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more floral.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Taurasi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more tannic and structured.
Aglianico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.
Barolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Red Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Primitivo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.
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 softer and rounder, and fuller and richer.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Bolgheri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more herbal and green.
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 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.
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 softer and rounder, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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 lighter, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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 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.
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 softer and rounder, and fuller and richer.
Rioja
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 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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and softer and rounder.
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 softer and rounder, and fuller and richer.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and softer and rounder.
Areni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less oaky.
Australian Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less tannic and softer.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and softer and rounder.
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.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and softer and rounder.
Areni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less oaky.
Australian Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less tannic and softer.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and softer and rounder.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
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 more herbal and green, and fuller and richer.
Rioja
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 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 softer and rounder, and fuller and richer.
Sangiovese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and fuller and richer.
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.