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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.

I like…

The bright red fruit How fresh and crisp it is The savoury, meaty side

But it’s a bit…

too tart or sour-fruited too sharp or acidic too light or thin 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.
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 green or grassy, too savoury or funky, too light or thin 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.

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.
Substantially less green or grassy.
About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
A little less light or thin.
A little less tart or sour-fruited.

Valpolicella Ripasso

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
A little less light or thin.
A little less tart or sour-fruited.

Morgon

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
A little less light or thin.
A little less tart or sour-fruited.

Cahors

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

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less green or grassy.
About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
A little less light or thin.
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.

Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
A little less light or thin.
A little less tart or sour-fruited.

Merlot

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

Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
A little less light or thin.
A little less tart or sour-fruited.

Corvina

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

Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
A little less light or thin.
A little less tart or sour-fruited.

Refosco

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

Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
A little less light or thin.
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.

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 more savoury, 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.

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.

Cahors

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, 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

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.

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.

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

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, 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.

País

País scores closest to Chianti across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

Portugieser

Portugieser scores closest to Chianti across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

Valpolicella

Both come from the same country.

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.

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 in alcohol, and fruitier.

Red Burgundy

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.

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.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

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

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.

Merlot

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

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

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 riper and less green.

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.

Barbera

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter.

Tinta Negra

Tinta Negra scores closest to Chianti across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

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 more savoury, and riper and less green.

Aglianico

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and riper and less green.

Nebbiolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and riper and less green.

Barbaresco

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and riper and less green.

Similar but softer

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

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.

Merlot

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

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

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.

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.

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 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.

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 more savoury, and stiller.

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.

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.

Sagrantino

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.

Port

Port scores closest to Chianti across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Nebbiolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and riper and less green.

Barbaresco

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and riper and less green.

Barolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and riper and less green.

Malbec

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.

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 more savoury, 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.

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.

Merlot

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

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

Similar but more floral

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

Nebbiolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and riper and less green.

Barbaresco

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and riper and less green.

Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cahors

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and riper and less green.

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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

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

Barolo

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and riper and less green.

Taurasi

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and riper and less green.

Rioja Gran Reserva

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and broader and softer.

Similar but fruitier

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

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.

Morgon

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.

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.

Merlot

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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.

Cahors

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and riper and less green.

Merlot

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

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 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.

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 more savoury, and riper and less green.

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 more savoury, and lighter in alcohol.

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 in alcohol.

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 fruitier.

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 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 lighter in alcohol.

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 in alcohol.

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 in alcohol.

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.

Merlot

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

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

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.

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.

Nebbiolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and riper and less green.

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 more savoury, 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.

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.

Cahors

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, 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.

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 more savoury, 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.

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.

Cahors

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and riper and less green.

A step up

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

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 fruitier.

Barolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and riper and less green.

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

curated

The historic heartland zone, with stricter rules and higher altitude.

Expect: More structure, more concentration and a higher price.

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.