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Wines like Chianti Classico

Sangiovese from the historic hills between Florence and Siena: sour cherry, dried herbs and firm acidity, built for the table. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

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What do you like about Chianti Classico?

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 bright red fruit How fresh and crisp it is The firm, grippy structure The herbal, green side The savoury, meaty side

But it’s a bit…

too tart or sour-fruited too sharp or acidic too drying or too tannic too green or grassy too earthy or musty too savoury or funky

Clear all

What these words mean

The bright red fruit: Raspberry, redcurrant, sour cherry — lighter and sharper than dark fruit, usually from a cooler place or an earlier picking.
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.
The herbal, green side: Grass, blackcurrant leaf, green pepper, mint. It divides people more sharply than almost any other character.
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.
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 bright red-fruited character and the herbal, green edge, while moving away from too earthy or musty and too green or grassy.

You said you like the herbal, green edge and that it is too green or grassy. Both are about herbal / green 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.

Rosso di Montalcino

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

Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less green or grassy.

Chianti

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

Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
About as earthy or musty as the wine you started from.
Substantially less green or grassy.

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less green or grassy.

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less green or grassy.

Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend

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

Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less green or grassy.

Sangiovese

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

Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
About as earthy or musty as the wine you started from.
Substantially less green or grassy.

Australian Grenache

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

Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less green or grassy.

Argentine Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less green or grassy.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Rosso di Montalcino

Both are made from sangiovese, 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 fruitier.

Chianti

Both are made from sangiovese, 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 earthier.

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

Australian Grenache

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

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

Argentine Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barbera d’Asti

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

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

Montsant

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

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

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.

Rondo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Chianti

Both are made from sangiovese, 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 earthier.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Mondeuse Noire

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

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

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

Mondeuse Noire

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Gamay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Super Tuscan

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and both come from the same country.

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

Bolgheri

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and both come from the same country.

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

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon.

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

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and riper and less green.

Similar but less tannic

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

Australian Grenache

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

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

Chianti

Both are made from sangiovese, 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 earthier.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

curated

A far cheaper Italian red for the same food.

Expect: Much softer and plummier, with far less structure.

Barbera d’Asti

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

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Baga

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

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

Bairrada Baga

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

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

Naoussa Xinomavro

curated

A high-acid, tomato-and-olive-scented red in very similar territory.

Expect: More austere and more tannic when young.

Brunello di Montalcino

curated

The same grape from a warmer, drier hill town, with far longer ageing.

Expect: Denser, more powerful and considerably more expensive.

Similar but softer

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

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend

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

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

Australian Grenache

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

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

The sparkling version

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

Lambrusco

Both come from the same country.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

Both come from the same country.

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

Sparkling Shiraz

Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Chianti Classico across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and riper and less green.

Champagne

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

Both come from the same country.

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

Rondo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Valpolicella Ripasso

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

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.

Tinto Cão

Tinto Cão scores closest to Chianti Classico across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.

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.

Rosso di Montalcino

Both are made from sangiovese, 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 fruitier.

Rondo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Chianti

Both are made from sangiovese, 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 earthier.

Graciano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Super Tuscan

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

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

Rioja

curated

Both are savoury, medium-bodied, cherry-fruited reds shaped by oak ageing classifications.

Expect: Softer acidity and rounder tannin, with vanilla and leather in place of tomato leaf.

Bolgheri

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and both come from the same country.

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

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon.

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

Similar but more aromatic

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

Gamay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Malbec

Malbec scores closest to Chianti Classico across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and riper and less green.

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.

Rosso di Montalcino

Both are made from sangiovese, 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 fruitier.

Chianti

Both are made from sangiovese, 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 earthier.

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Similar but more floral

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

Australian Grenache

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

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

Argentine Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Gamay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Chianti Classico Riserva

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

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and broader and softer.

Naoussa Xinomavro

curated

A high-acid, tomato-and-olive-scented red in very similar territory.

Expect: More austere and more tannic when young.

Xinomavro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barolo

Both come from the same country.

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Rosso di Montalcino

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

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

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend

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

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

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.

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend

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

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

Red Bordeaux

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and earthier.

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Chianti

Both are made from sangiovese, 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 earthier.

Rosso di Montalcino

Both are made from sangiovese, 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 fruitier.

Sangiovese

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and earthier.

Chianti Classico Riserva

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

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and broader and softer.

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Super Tuscan

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and both come from the same country.

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

Bolgheri

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and both come from the same country.

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

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon.

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

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon.

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

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.

Chianti

Both are made from sangiovese, 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 earthier.

Sangiovese

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and earthier.

Red Bordeaux

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and earthier.

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Something more adventurous

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

Rosso di Montalcino

Both are made from sangiovese, 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 fruitier.

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend

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

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

A better-value alternative

Wines that occupy similar sensory territory from regions carrying less price premium. WineHQ does not hold live prices, so this reasons from regional reputation and demand rather than from a price feed — treat it as a lead, not a quote.

Rosso di Montalcino

Both are made from sangiovese, 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 fruitier.

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend

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

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

A step up

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and riper and less green.

Ribera del Duero

Ribera del Duero scores closest to Chianti Classico across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and riper and less green.

Priorat

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and riper and less green.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, 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.