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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 moving away from too sharp or acidic, too earthy or musty, too savoury or funky, too light or thin, too green or grassy and too tart or sour-fruited.
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.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- A little less light or thin.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Nero d’Avola
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- A little less light or thin.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Rioja Crianza
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- A little less light or thin.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Corvina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- A little less light or thin.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- A little less light or thin.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Merlot
Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- A little less light or thin.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Bobal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- A little less light or thin.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- A little less light or thin.
- About as green or grassy as the wine you started from.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
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 fruitier, and riper and less green.
Nero d’Avola
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Rioja Crianza
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Corvina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
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 fruitier, and riper and less green.
Nero d’Avola
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Rioja Crianza
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Corvina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
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.
Portugieser
Portugieser scores closest to Chianti across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Cinsault
Cinsault scores closest to Chianti across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Grolleau
Grolleau scores closest to Chianti across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
País
País scores closest to Chianti across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
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.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Gamay
Gamay scores closest to Chianti across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Cru Beaujolais
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
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 fruitier, 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 fruitier, and riper and less green.
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 fruitier, and riper and less green.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
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.
Barbera d’Alba
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher and more acidic.
Barbera d’Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher and more acidic.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Petit Verdot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Petite Sirah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Bobal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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 fruitier, 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 fruitier, and riper and less green.
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 fruitier, and riper and less green.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
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.
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 fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Lambrusco
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Franciacorta
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
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 fruitier, and riper and less green.
Ruby Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
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 fruitier, and riper and less green.
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.
Corvinone
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Refosco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
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 fuller and richer.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
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 fuller and richer.
Nero d’Avola
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Morgon
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 riper and less green.
Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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.
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.
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 fruitier, and riper and less green.
Nero d’Avola
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Rioja Crianza
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Corvina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
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.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Australian Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Hawke’s Bay Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
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 earthier.
Chianti Classico Riserva
Both are made from sangiovese, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and earthier.
Barolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and earthier.
Taurasi
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and earthier.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Nero d’Avola
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
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.
Merlot
Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and softer and rounder.
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 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 fuller and richer.
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 fuller and richer.
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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter.
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.
Canaiolo
Both are made from canaiolo, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and lighter.
Sangiovese
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.
Merlot
Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and softer and rounder.
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 broader and softer.
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 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 fruitier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Merlot
Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and softer and rounder.
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 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 fruitier, and riper and less green.
Nero d’Avola
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Corvina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Bobal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
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 fruitier, and riper and less green.
Nero d’Avola
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Corvina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Bobal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
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 earthier.
Rioja
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.
Rioja 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.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
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.