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.
Refine
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 savoury, non-fruity character, while moving away from too sharp or acidic.
Based on what you said
Ranked against the qualities you named rather than against the wine as a whole. The directions below are refined the same way.
Red Bordeaux
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Cahors
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Dão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Carignan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Red Bordeaux
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fuller and richer.
Cahors
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Dão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and riper and less green.
Carignan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Dão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and riper and less green.
Carignan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Rioja
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 more oaky.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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.
Poulsard
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter.
País
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and riper and less green.
Tibouren
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Schiava
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter.
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 more fruit-driven.
Schiava
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Grolleau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Bekaa Valley Red
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fruitier.
Chilean Carmenère
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Douro red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fruitier.
Hawke’s Bay Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fruitier.
Tibouren
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Grolleau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter in alcohol.
Portugieser
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and softer and rounder.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Cahors
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Carignan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Dão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and riper and less green.
Madiran
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fruitier.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Bekaa Valley Red
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fruitier.
Cahors
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Chilean Carmenère
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Douro red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fruitier.
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 across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
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 fruitier, and more sparkling.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Sagrantino
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 fruitier.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fruitier.
Tawny Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and sweeter.
Montefalco Sagrantino
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 fruitier.
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.
Cornalin
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Broad-leaved Melnik
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fruitier.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fruitier.
País
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and riper and less green.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fruitier.
Rioja
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 riper and less green.
Rioja Gran Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and broader and softer.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and riper and less green.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more floral.
Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Barbaresco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more aromatic.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Franken Silvaner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less tannic and softer.
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 more fruit-driven, and less tannic and softer.
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 more fruit-driven, and less tannic and softer.
Silvaner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter in alcohol.
Cahors
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more neutral and subtle.
Dão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and riper and less green.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
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.
Chianti Classico Riserva
Both are made from sangiovese, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher and more acidic.
Northern Rhône Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fruitier.
Taurasi
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.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
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 fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and 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 fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Change the place
Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.
Same grape, somewhere else
Holds the variety constant and changes the place, which is often a bigger change than swapping the grape.
Red Bordeaux
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fuller and richer.
Cahors
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Madiran
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fruitier.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
Nothing in WineHQ's catalogue makes this move meaningfully from here. These are the closest wines otherwise, but do not expect them to deliver what you asked for — the honest answer is that this style does not have a good neighbour in that direction.
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 more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
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 fuller and richer.
Red Bordeaux
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and spicier.
Cahors
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and riper and less green.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Bekaa Valley Red
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fruitier.
Cahors
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Madiran
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fruitier.
Priorat
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, 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.
Red Bordeaux
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fuller and richer.
Rioja
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 more oaky.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more oaky.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Cahors
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Dão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and riper and less green.
Carignan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
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.
Cahors
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Dão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and riper and less green.
Carignan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
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 broader and softer.
Red Bordeaux
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fuller and richer.
Northern Rhône Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fruitier.
Rioja
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 more oaky.
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.