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Wines like Bolgheri

Coastal Tuscan Bordeaux blends — the appellation created to give the Super Tuscan idea a legal home. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

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What do you like about Bolgheri?

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 How full and weighty it is The firm, grippy structure The vanilla and oak

But it’s a bit…

too jammy or sweet-tasting too heavy too drying or too tannic too oaky or woody too green or grassy too peppery

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".
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 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.
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 herbal, green side: Grass, blackcurrant leaf, green pepper, mint. It divides people more sharply than almost any other character.
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.

Looking for something moving away from too heavy, too drying or too tannic, too oaky or woody and too peppery.

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.

Merlot

Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

A little less heavy.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less peppery.

Cabernet Franc

Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less peppery.

Loire Cabernet Franc

Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less peppery.

Barbera d’Alba

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

A little less heavy.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less peppery.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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

A little less heavy.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less peppery.

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

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

Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less peppery.

Montepulciano

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

A little less heavy.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less peppery.

Chianti

Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
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.

Merlot

Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and softer and rounder.

Cabernet Franc

Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Loire Cabernet Franc

Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barbera d’Alba

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

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

Barbera d’Alba

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

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

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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 less spicy.

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.

Montepulciano

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 less spicy.

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.

Cabernet Franc

Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Loire Cabernet Franc

Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.

Cru Beaujolais

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Cabernet Franc

Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Loire Cabernet Franc

Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.

Cru Beaujolais

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

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

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.

Merlot

Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and softer and rounder.

Argentine Malbec

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

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

Barbera d’Alba

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

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

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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 less spicy.

Similar but less tannic

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

Merlot

Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and softer and rounder.

Barbera d’Alba

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

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

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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 less spicy.

Montepulciano

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 less spicy.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Barbaresco

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Bairrada Baga

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Baga

Baga scores closest to Bolgheri across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Madiran

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

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

Similar but fresher

Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.

Loire Cabernet Franc

Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barbera d’Alba

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

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

Chianti

Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

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

Barbera d’Asti

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

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

Similar but softer

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

Merlot

Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and leaner and more cutting.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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 less spicy.

Montepulciano

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 less spicy.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

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

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 stronger and warmer.

Lambrusco

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

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

English sparkling rosé

English sparkling rosé scores closest to Bolgheri across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Similar but sweeter

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

California Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Touriga Franca

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

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

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.

Cabernet Franc

Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Loire Cabernet Franc

Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Chianti

Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

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

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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 less spicy.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Merlot

Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and softer and rounder.

Barbera d’Alba

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

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

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

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

Similar but more aromatic

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

Cabernet Franc

Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Gamay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and spicier.

Morgon

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

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

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 less tannic and softer, and lighter.

Trebbiano d’Abruzzo

Both come from the same country.

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

Vernaccia di San Gimignano

Both come from the same country.

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

Merlot

Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more aromatic.

Similar but more floral

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

Cabernet Franc

Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Gamay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Loire Cabernet Franc

Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.

Similar but more savoury

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

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.

Chianti

Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

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

Chianti Classico Riserva

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

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

Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

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

Similar but fruitier

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

California Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

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

Barbera d’Alba

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

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

Bonarda

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

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

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

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

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

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.

Merlot

Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and softer and rounder.

Cabernet Franc

Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Loire Cabernet Franc

Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

California Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

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

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Chianti

Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

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

Loire Cabernet Franc

Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Chianti Classico

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

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

Chianti Classico Riserva

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

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

Same grape, warmer climate

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

California Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

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

Merlot

Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

California Rhône blend

Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and stronger and warmer.

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.

Merlot

Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and softer and rounder.

Cabernet Franc

Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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 less spicy.

Chianti

Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

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

Something more adventurous

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

Loire Cabernet Franc

Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barbera d’Alba

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

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

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.

Montepulciano

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 less spicy.

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.

Loire Cabernet Franc

Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barbera d’Alba

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

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

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.

Montepulciano

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 less spicy.

A step up

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

Chianti

Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

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

Oregon Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.

Chianti Classico

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

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

New Zealand Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and stronger and warmer.

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.