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 bright red-fruited character and the fresh, crisp acidity, while moving away from too green or grassy and too drying or too tannic.
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.
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.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Barbera d’Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Barbera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
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.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- About as drying or too tannic as the wine you started from.
Red Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Oregon Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
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.
- Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- About as drying or too tannic as the wine you started from.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
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 less oaky.
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 less tannic and softer.
Barbera
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 less tannic and softer.
Sonoma Coast 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 riper and less green, and lighter.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
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 less tannic and softer.
Barbera
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 less tannic and softer.
Sonoma Coast 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 riper and less green, and lighter.
Red Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
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.
Red Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
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 stronger and warmer.
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 lighter.
Valpolicella
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.
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.
Red Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
English still Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.
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 softer and rounder.
Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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 both come from the same country.
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.
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.
Argentine Malbec
Argentine Malbec scores closest to Chianti Classico across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fuller and richer.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
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 less oaky.
Barbera d’Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and riper and less green.
Barbera d’Alba
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and riper and less green.
Barbera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and riper and less green.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Naoussa Xinomavro
curatedA high-acid, tomato-and-olive-scented red in very similar territory.
Expect: More austere and more tannic when young.
Brunello di Montalcino
curatedThe same grape from a warmer, drier hill town, with far longer ageing.
Expect: Denser, more powerful and considerably more expensive.
Baga
Baga scores closest to Chianti Classico across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and riper and less green.
Bairrada Baga
Bairrada Baga scores closest to Chianti Classico across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and riper and less green.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Valpolicella Ripasso
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 riper and less green.
New Zealand Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fruitier.
Australian Grenache
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 broader and softer.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
curatedA far cheaper Italian red for the same food.
Expect: Much softer and plummier, with far less structure.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Lambrusco
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 softer and rounder.
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 softer and rounder.
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.
English sparkling rosé
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
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 softer and rounder.
Lambrusco
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 softer and rounder.
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.
Corvina
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.
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 more oaky.
Molinara
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.
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 softer and rounder.
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 more tannic and structured, and fruitier.
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.
Rioja Gran Reserva
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 riper and less green.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more tannic and structured.
Rioja Reserva
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and riper and less green.
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 less tannic and softer.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and softer and rounder.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Morgon
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 softer and rounder.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Gavi
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter.
Cortese
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter.
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 more aromatic.
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 less tannic and softer.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Sonoma Coast 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 riper and less green, and lighter.
Red Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less tannic and softer.
Oregon Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
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 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 broader and softer.
Rioja Gran Reserva
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 riper and less green.
Naoussa Xinomavro
curatedA high-acid, tomato-and-olive-scented red in very similar territory.
Expect: More austere and more tannic when young.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
Both are made from sangiovese, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more tannic and structured.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Barbera
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 fruitier.
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 fruitier.
Barbera d’Alba
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
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 fruitier.
Change the place
Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.
Same grape, somewhere else
Holds the variety constant and changes the place, which is often a bigger change than swapping the grape.
Egri Bikavér
Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Red Bordeaux
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and softer and rounder.
Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and softer and rounder.
Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and softer and rounder.
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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
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 more tannic and structured, and fruitier.
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 more tannic and structured, and broader and softer.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
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 riper and less green, and more tannic and structured.
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.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
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 softer and rounder, and fruitier.
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 less oaky.
Barbera
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 less tannic and softer.
Red Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Oregon Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
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 less tannic and softer.
Sonoma Coast 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 riper and less green, and lighter.
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 more tannic and structured, and fruitier.
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 more tannic and structured, and broader and softer.
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.
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 less tannic and softer.
Sonoma Coast 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 riper and less green, and lighter.
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 more tannic and structured, and fruitier.
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 more tannic and structured, and broader and softer.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
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.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Both come from the same country.
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 more tannic and structured, and broader and softer.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Châteauneuf-du-Pape scores closest to Chianti Classico across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
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.