If you like this, try…
Wines like Chianti
The broad Tuscan Sangiovese appellation surrounding Chianti Classico — lighter, cheaper and much more variable. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
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What do you like about Chianti?
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.
- How light it is
- A wine you can drink without it feeling like a commitment. Usually lower in alcohol as well as lighter in the mouth.
- 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 fresh, crisp acidity, while moving away from too sharp or acidic, too tart or sour-fruited, too green or grassy and too savoury or funky.
- You said you like the fresh, crisp acidity and that it is too sharp or acidic. Both are about acidity, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
- You said you like the fresh, crisp acidity and that it is too sharp or acidic. Both are about perceived freshness, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
- You said you like the fresh, crisp acidity and that it is too tart or sour-fruited. Both are about perceived freshness, 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.
Valpolicella Ripasso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Egri Bikavér
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
- Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Nero d’Avola
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Has noticeably less of the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Corvina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Rioja Crianza
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Has noticeably less of the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Bobal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Uco Valley Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Valpolicella Ripasso
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 spicier.
Morgon
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 more aromatic.
Egri Bikavér
Both are made from merlot, 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 lighter.
Nero d’Avola
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.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Valpolicella Ripasso
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 spicier.
Morgon
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 more aromatic.
Nero d’Avola
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.
Corvina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
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.
País
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.
Cinsault
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Grolleau
Grolleau scores closest to Chianti across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Poulsard
Poulsard scores closest to Chianti across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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.
Cru Beaujolais
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and riper and less green.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more fruit-driven.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more fruit-driven.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Nero d’Avola
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.
Valpolicella Ripasso
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 spicier.
Rioja Crianza
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.
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 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.
Barbera d’Alba
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and riper and less green.
Muscat Bailey A
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter.
Barbera d’Asti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Cinsault
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Bobal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Uco Valley Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and riper and less green.
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 riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Nero d’Avola
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.
Rioja Crianza
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.
Valpolicella Ripasso
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 spicier.
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 riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Sparkling Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and riper and less green.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fresher.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fresher.
Franciacorta
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and riper and less green.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Valpolicella Ripasso
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 spicier.
Corvina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and broader and softer.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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.
Bobal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Nero di Troia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and riper and less green.
Castelão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Corvinone
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and broader and softer.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
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 broader and softer, and fuller and richer.
Nero d’Avola
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.
Rioja Crianza
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.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and softer and rounder.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more savoury.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more savoury.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more restrained in fruit.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.
Valpolicella Ripasso
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 more aromatic.
Egri Bikavér
Both are made from merlot, 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 lighter.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and softer and rounder.
Uco Valley Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and riper and less green.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fresher.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Rioja Gran Reserva
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and broader and softer.
Chianti Classico Riserva
Both are made from sangiovese, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher and more acidic.
Taurasi
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher and more acidic.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
Both are made from sangiovese, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Valpolicella Ripasso
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 spicier.
Morgon
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 more aromatic.
Egri Bikavér
Both are made from merlot, 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 lighter.
Nero d’Avola
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.
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 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 lighter.
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 riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
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 herbal and green, 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 more herbal and green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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.
Egri Bikavér
Both are made from merlot, 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 riper and less green.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
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.
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 fuller and richer, and riper and less green.
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 fresher and more acidic, and more savoury.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
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 herbal and green, 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 more herbal and green, 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 more herbal and green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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 fuller and richer, 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.
Rioja Crianza
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.
California 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 broader and softer.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and softer and rounder.
Merlot
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Valpolicella Ripasso
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 spicier.
Morgon
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 more aromatic.
Egri Bikavér
Both are made from merlot, 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 lighter.
Nero d’Avola
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.
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.
Valpolicella Ripasso
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 spicier.
Morgon
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 more aromatic.
Egri Bikavér
Both are made from merlot, 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 lighter.
Nero d’Avola
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.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Northern Rhône Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and riper and less green.
Brunello di Montalcino
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 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 broader and softer.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher and more acidic.
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.