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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 savoury, non-fruity character and the firm tannic structure, while moving away from too savoury or funky and too tart or sour-fruited.

You said you like the savoury, non-fruity character and that it is too savoury or funky. Both are about savoury character, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
You said you like the savoury, non-fruity character and that it is too savoury or funky. Both are about fruit intensity, 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.

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.

Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
A little less tart or sour-fruited.

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.

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
A little less tart or sour-fruited.

Rioja

curated

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

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
A little less tart or sour-fruited.

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.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
A little less tart or sour-fruited.

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.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
A little less tart or sour-fruited.

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.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.

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.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.

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.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
About as tart or sour-fruited 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.

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 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 lighter, and more savoury.

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.

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 lighter, and more savoury.

Different grape, similar feel

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

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.

Refosco

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter.

Argentine Cabernet Franc

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter.

Uco Valley Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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.

Colorino

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

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

Dolcetto

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.

Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Fer Servadou

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.

Mondeuse Noire

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.

Loire Cabernet Franc

Loire Cabernet Franc scores closest to Chianti Classico across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.

Red Burgundy

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

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

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 fruitier, 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 broader and softer.

Washington 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 riper and less green.

Sonoma 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.

Similar but less tannic

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

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

curated

A far cheaper Italian red for the same food.

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

Nero d’Avola

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 fruitier.

Valpolicella Ripasso

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 fruitier.

Merlot

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

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Aglianico

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more savoury.

Madiran

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 fruitier.

Petit Verdot

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fruitier.

Priorat

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fruitier.

Similar but softer

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

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.

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 broader and softer.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

curated

A far cheaper Italian red for the same food.

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

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 lighter.

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 fruitier, and more fruit-driven.

Lambrusco

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.

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 fruitier, and stiller.

Similar but sweeter

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

Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Tinto Cão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Pinotage

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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 fruitier, and more tannic and structured.

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.

Refosco

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter.

Bobal

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter.

Nero di Troia

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

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

Colorino

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

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

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.

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 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 broader and softer.

Sonoma 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.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Barbaresco

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and lighter.

Nebbiolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and lighter.

Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

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.

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 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 lighter, and more savoury.

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 lighter, 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 more savoury, and lighter.

Similar but more floral

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

Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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 more tannic and structured, and lighter.

Cahors

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.

Nebbiolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, 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 both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.

Taurasi

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more tannic and structured.

Barolo

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more tannic and structured.

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fruitier.

Similar but fruitier

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

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 fruitier, and broader and softer.

Bolgheri

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

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

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 lighter.

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 lighter.

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 more savoury, and lighter.

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 lighter.

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 lighter.

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 lighter.

Same grape, cooler climate

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

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 lighter, and more savoury.

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 lighter, and more savoury.

Chianti

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

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 lighter.

Same grape, warmer climate

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

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 fruitier, 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 broader and softer.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Sonoma 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.

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.

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 broader and softer.

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 lighter, 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 more savoury, and lighter.

Chilean 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.

Something more adventurous

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

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 lighter, and more savoury.

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 lighter.

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 lighter.

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 lighter.

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.

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 lighter, and more savoury.

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 lighter.

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 lighter.

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 lighter.

A step up

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

Ribera del Duero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.

Priorat

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more tannic and structured.

Amarone della Valpolicella

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.

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.