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.

← Back to Blaufränkisch

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.

I like…

How fresh and crisp it is The firm, grippy structure The spice

But it’s a bit…

too sharp or acidic too drying or too tannic too light or thin too oaky or woody too peppery too earthy or musty

Clear all

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 firm tannic structure.

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.

Blaufränkisch

Both are made from blaufränkisch, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Keeps the firm tannic structure.

Northern Rhône Syrah

curated

Shared black pepper, dark fruit and savoury structure.

Keeps the firm tannic structure.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

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

Keeps the firm tannic structure.

Rioja

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

Keeps the firm tannic structure.

Langhe Nebbiolo

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

Keeps the firm tannic structure.

Rioja Reserva

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

Keeps the firm tannic structure.

Etna Rosso

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

Keeps the firm tannic structure.

Chianti Classico

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

Keeps the firm tannic structure.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Blaufränkisch

Both are made from blaufränkisch, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Northern Rhône Syrah

curated

Shared black pepper, dark fruit and savoury structure.

Expect: Fuller and more savoury-meaty, at higher prices.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, 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.

Different grape, similar feel

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

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, 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.

Langhe Nebbiolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more floral.

Northern Rhône Syrah

curated

Shared black pepper, dark fruit and savoury structure.

Expect: Fuller and more savoury-meaty, at higher prices.

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 tannic and softer, and less spicy.

Valpolicella

Valpolicella scores closest to Blaufränkisch across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.

English still Pinot Noir

English still Pinot Noir scores closest to Blaufränkisch across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter.

Poulsard

Poulsard scores closest to Blaufränkisch across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter.

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.

Mondeuse Noire

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Fer Servadou

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more herbal and green.

Cru Beaujolais

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.

Loire Cabernet Franc

curated

Comparable acidity, graphite minerality and medium body.

Expect: Leafier and lighter in tannin.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Alicante Bouschet

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

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fuller and richer.

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Argentine Cabernet Franc

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more floral.

Barossa Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fuller and richer.

Similar but less tannic

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

California Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and softer and rounder.

Rioja Crianza

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, 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

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, 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

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more herbal and green.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Naoussa Xinomavro

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less spicy.

Aglianico

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.

Brunello di Montalcino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more savoury.

Taurasi

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more savoury.

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.

Langhe Nebbiolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more floral.

Chianti Classico

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 less spicy.

Etna Rosso

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more floral.

Rosso di Montalcino

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more herbal and green.

Similar but softer

Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.

Alicante Bouschet

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less spicy.

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Argentine Cabernet Franc

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more floral.

Barossa Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.

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 less tannic and softer, and sweeter.

Lambrusco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stiller.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stiller.

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 stiller.

Similar but sweeter

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Pinotage

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

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fuller and richer.

Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fuller and richer.

Primitivo di Manduria

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.

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

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

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.

Carignan

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.

Colorino

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Barossa Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.

Bolgheri

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more herbal and green.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, 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.

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.

Syrah

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

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fuller and richer.

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and softer and rounder.

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more aromatic.

Similar but more restrained

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

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 more aromatic.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

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 less spicy.

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 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 softer and rounder.

Similar but more floral

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

Cahors

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more neutral and subtle.

Dão

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more floral.

Etna Rosso

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more neutral and subtle.

Hawke’s Bay Syrah

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

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Similar but more savoury

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

Bekaa Valley Red

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

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

Broad-leaved Melnik

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

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

Cahors

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more floral.

Carignan

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fuller and richer.

Similar but fruitier

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

Primitivo di Manduria

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.

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.

Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.

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.

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Same grape, cooler climate

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

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 fuller and richer.

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 less tannic and softer, and softer and rounder.

Same grape, warmer climate

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

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 lighter, and fresher and more acidic.

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 less tannic and softer, 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.

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.

Northern Rhône Syrah

curated

Shared black pepper, dark fruit and savoury structure.

Expect: Fuller and more savoury-meaty, at higher prices.

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.

Chianti Classico

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 less spicy.

Something more adventurous

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

Blaufränkisch

Both are made from blaufränkisch, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fuller and richer.

Langhe Nebbiolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more floral.

Etna Rosso

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more floral.

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.

Blaufränkisch

Both are made from blaufränkisch, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fuller and richer.

Langhe Nebbiolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more floral.

Etna Rosso

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more floral.

A step up

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Brunello di Montalcino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.

Chianti Classico

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 less spicy.

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.