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Wines like Châteauneuf-du-Pape

The southern Rhône’s flagship: a warm, powerful, herb-scented Grenache-led blend from stony vineyards near Avignon. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

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What do you like about Châteauneuf-du-Pape?

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 herbal, green side The spice The earthy, mineral side The savoury, meaty side

But it’s a bit…

too jammy or sweet-tasting too heavy too green or grassy too peppery too earthy or musty too savoury or funky

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 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.
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.
The savoury, meaty side: Leather, olive, cured meat, dried herbs, tobacco. It is what people mean by calling a wine "serious" rather than "fruity", and it comes with age as well as with place.

Looking for something keeping the full body and weight and the earthy, savoury-mineral character, while moving away from too earthy or musty.

You said you like the earthy, savoury-mineral character and that it is too earthy or musty. Both are about earthy character, 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.

Priorat

curated

Both are concentrated old-vine Grenache expressions from hot Mediterranean sites.

Keeps the full body and weight.
Keeps the earthy, savoury-mineral character.
About as earthy or musty as the wine you started from.

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

Keeps the full body and weight.
Has some of the earthy, savoury-mineral character, though less of it.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Southern Rhône blend

curated

The same varieties and region at village level.

Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
Has some of the earthy, savoury-mineral character, though less of it.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Ribera del Duero

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

Keeps the full body and weight.
Has some of the earthy, savoury-mineral character, though less of it.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Sagrantino

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

Keeps the full body and weight.
Has some of the earthy, savoury-mineral character, though less of it.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Madiran

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

Keeps the full body and weight.
Has some of the earthy, savoury-mineral character, though less of it.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Tannat

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

Keeps the full body and weight.
Has some of the earthy, savoury-mineral character, though less of it.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

Keeps the full body and weight.
Has noticeably less of the earthy, savoury-mineral character.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Priorat

curated

Both are concentrated old-vine Grenache expressions from hot Mediterranean sites.

Expect: More mineral and firmer, with a distinctive slate character.

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.

Southern Rhône blend

curated

The same varieties and region at village level.

Expect: Lighter and simpler, at a fraction of the price.

Ribera del Duero

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more oaky.

Different grape, similar feel

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.

Ribera del Duero

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more oaky.

Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and riper and less green.

Madiran

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.

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.

Southern Rhône blend

curated

The same varieties and region at village level.

Expect: Lighter and simpler, at a fraction of the price.

Syrah

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

Languedoc red

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

Red Bordeaux

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

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.

Ribera del Duero

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more oaky.

Red Bordeaux

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.

Madiran

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and lighter in alcohol.

Similar but less tannic

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

Argentine Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and lighter in alcohol.

Barbera d’Alba

Barbera d’Alba scores closest to Châteauneuf-du-Pape across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Barbera d’Asti

Barbera d’Asti scores closest to Châteauneuf-du-Pape across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Gamay

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Priorat

curated

Both are concentrated old-vine Grenache expressions from hot Mediterranean sites.

Expect: More mineral and firmer, with a distinctive slate character.

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.

Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and riper and less green.

Madiran

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.

Similar but fresher

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

Red Bordeaux

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

Priorat

curated

Both are concentrated old-vine Grenache expressions from hot Mediterranean sites.

Expect: More mineral and firmer, with a distinctive slate character.

Saperavi

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.

Similar but softer

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

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.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

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

Barossa Shiraz

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

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

Dalmatian Plavac Mali

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

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

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

The sparkling version

Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.

Sparkling Shiraz

Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Châteauneuf-du-Pape across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Lambrusco

Lambrusco scores closest to Châteauneuf-du-Pape across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Châteauneuf-du-Pape across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Priorat

curated

Both are concentrated old-vine Grenache expressions from hot Mediterranean sites.

Expect: More mineral and firmer, with a distinctive slate character.

Similar but sweeter

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

Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and riper and less green.

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.

Vin Doux Naturel

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

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

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 riper and less green.

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

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and earthier.

Frühburgunder

Frühburgunder scores closest to Châteauneuf-du-Pape across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

Piedirosso

Piedirosso scores closest to Châteauneuf-du-Pape across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

Nero di Troia

Nero di Troia scores closest to Châteauneuf-du-Pape across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Priorat

curated

Both are concentrated old-vine Grenache expressions from hot Mediterranean sites.

Expect: More mineral and firmer, with a distinctive slate character.

Barossa Shiraz

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

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

Ribera del Duero

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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 riper and less green.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Syrah

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

Barolo

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and earthier.

Barbaresco

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and earthier.

Nebbiolo

Nebbiolo scores closest to Châteauneuf-du-Pape across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and earthier.

Similar but more restrained

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

Priorat

curated

Both are concentrated old-vine Grenache expressions from hot Mediterranean sites.

Expect: More mineral and firmer, with a distinctive slate character.

Montefalco Sagrantino

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 riper and less green.

Ribera del Duero

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more aromatic.

Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more aromatic.

Similar but more floral

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

Syrah

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

Douro red

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

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and lighter in alcohol.

Uco Valley Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

Argentine Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and lighter in alcohol.

Similar but more savoury

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

Northern Rhône Syrah

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and earthier.

Brunello di Montalcino

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and earthier.

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and earthier.

Rioja Gran Reserva

Both are made from grenache.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and earthier.

Similar but fruitier

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

Both are made from grenache, 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 riper and less green.

Barossa Shiraz

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

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

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Primitivo di Manduria

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

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

Priorat

curated

Both are concentrated old-vine Grenache expressions from hot Mediterranean sites.

Expect: More mineral and firmer, with a distinctive slate character.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

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

Barossa Shiraz

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

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

Jumilla Monastrell

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and earthier.

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Priorat

curated

Both are concentrated old-vine Grenache expressions from hot Mediterranean sites.

Expect: More mineral and firmer, with a distinctive slate character.

Rioja

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

Rioja Reserva

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

Bekaa Valley Red

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and earthier.

Same grape, warmer climate

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

Both are made from grenache, 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 riper and less green.

Barossa Shiraz

Both are made from grenache, 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 more oaky.

Shiraz

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

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

Priorat

curated

Both are concentrated old-vine Grenache expressions from hot Mediterranean sites.

Expect: More mineral and firmer, with a distinctive slate character.

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.

Priorat

curated

Both are concentrated old-vine Grenache expressions from hot Mediterranean sites.

Expect: More mineral and firmer, with a distinctive slate character.

Ribera del Duero

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more oaky.

Southern Rhône blend

curated

The same varieties and region at village level.

Expect: Lighter and simpler, at a fraction of the price.

Syrah

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

Something more adventurous

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.

Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and riper and less green.

Madiran

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.

Tannat

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.

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.

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.

Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and riper and less green.

Madiran

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.

Tannat

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.

A step up

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

Priorat

curated

Both are concentrated old-vine Grenache expressions from hot Mediterranean sites.

Expect: More mineral and firmer, with a distinctive slate character.

Ribera del Duero

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more oaky.

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

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

Northern Rhône Syrah

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and earthier.

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.