If you like this, try…
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.
Refine
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.
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 savoury, non-fruity character and the herbal, green edge, while moving away from too sharp or acidic 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.
Red Bordeaux
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Rioja
curatedBoth are savoury, medium-bodied, cherry-fruited reds shaped by oak ageing classifications.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Has noticeably less of the herbal, green edge.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- 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.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
- A little less sharp or acidic.
- 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 savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- 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 savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- 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 savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
New Zealand Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- 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.
Red Bordeaux
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier.
Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Rioja
curatedBoth 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.
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 fresher and more acidic, and spicier.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
New Zealand Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.
Rioja
curatedBoth 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.
Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends
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 fruitier.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and broader and softer.
Change the structure
Same idea, different weight, grip or freshness.
Similar but lighter
Keeps the character but reduces weight, alcohol and density in the mouth.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Tibouren
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and more fruit-driven.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more herbal and green.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
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.
Cru Beaujolais
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 fresher.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
Schiava
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and riper and less green.
Grolleau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and riper and less green.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and broader and softer.
Bolgheri
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 fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Priorat
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Ribera del Duero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
New Zealand Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
curatedA far cheaper Italian red for the same food.
Expect: Much softer and plummier, with far less structure.
Chilean Carmenère
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more herbal and green.
Rioja Gran Reserva
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.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Madiran
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Priorat
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Montefalco Sagrantino
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 broader and softer.
Sagrantino
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 broader and softer.
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 more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
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 more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
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 more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
New Zealand Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.
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 Chianti Classico across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and riper and less green.
Lambrusco
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and riper and less green.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and riper and less green.
Franciacorta
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 fruitier.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Sagrantino
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 broader and softer.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Tawny Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Montefalco Sagrantino
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 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.
Tibouren
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and more fruit-driven.
Cornalin
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Broad-leaved Melnik
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Cahors
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Rioja
curatedBoth 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.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and broader and softer.
Bolgheri
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 fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
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 riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more herbal and green.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and broader and softer.
Barbaresco
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 fresher and more acidic.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Franken Silvaner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less tannic and softer.
Silvaner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more fruit-driven.
Red Bordeaux
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and spicier.
Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more herbal and green.
Cahors
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more neutral and subtle.
Bierzo Mencía
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
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 more savoury, and fresher and more acidic.
Rioja Gran Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and riper and less green.
Taurasi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and riper and less green.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and riper and less green.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
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 fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
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 fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
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 fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
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.
Red Bordeaux
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier.
Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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 more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
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 more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
Nothing in WineHQ's catalogue makes this move meaningfully from here. These are the closest wines otherwise, but do not expect them to deliver what you asked for — the honest answer is that this style does not have a good neighbour in that direction.
Chianti
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 fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
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 fresher and more acidic, and fuller and richer.
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 fresher and more acidic, and more savoury.
Red Bordeaux
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and spicier.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Bolgheri
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 fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Madiran
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Priorat
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
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.
Red Bordeaux
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier.
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 fresher and more acidic, and spicier.
New Zealand Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and broader and softer.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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 more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
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 more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
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 more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
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.
Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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 more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
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 more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
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 more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Priorat
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Ribera del Duero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Amarone della Valpolicella
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 fruitier.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fruitier.
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.