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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 moving away from too light or thin.

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.

Priorat

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

Substantially less light or thin.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Substantially less light or thin.

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

Substantially less light or thin.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Substantially less light or thin.

Sagrantino

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

Substantially less light or thin.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

Substantially less light or thin.

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

Substantially less light or thin.

Primitivo

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

Substantially less light or thin.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.

Priorat

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and broader and softer.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more oaky.

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and broader and softer.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more oaky.

Different grape, similar feel

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and broader and softer.

Sagrantino

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

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

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and spicier.

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fruitier.

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.

Nothing in WineHQ's catalogue makes this move meaningfully from here. These are the closest wines otherwise, but do not expect them to deliver what you asked for — the honest answer is that this style does not have a good neighbour in that direction.

Super Tuscan

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

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

Bolgheri

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 lighter in alcohol, and more oaky.

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 lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.

Madiran

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

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

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.

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 lighter in alcohol, and more oaky.

Priorat

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and broader and softer.

Bolgheri

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

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

Chianti Classico

curated

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

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fruitier.

Barossa Shiraz

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

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

Bolgheri

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 lighter in alcohol, and more oaky.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and spicier.

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 lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

Barbera d’Asti

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

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

Pedro Ximénez

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

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and softer and rounder.

Tinta Negra

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fruitier.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and spicier.

Madiran

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

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and broader and softer.

Similar but softer

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fruitier.

Barossa Shiraz

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

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

Bolgheri

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 lighter in alcohol, and more oaky.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and spicier.

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 lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

Priorat

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

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

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and softer and rounder.

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fruitier.

Late Bottled Vintage Port

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

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and broader and softer.

Port

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

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, 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.

Refosco

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

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

Corvinone

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

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

Bobal

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Nero di Troia

Both come from the same country.

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Barossa Shiraz

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

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

Bolgheri

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 lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, 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 more tannic and structured, and less oaky.

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 lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

Barolo

Both come from the same country.

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

Barbaresco

Both come from the same country.

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

Syrah

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more restrained

For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.

Priorat

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

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

Sonoma 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 aromatic, and softer and rounder.

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

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

Napa Valley 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 aromatic, and softer and rounder.

Similar but more floral

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

Douro red

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

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

Argentine Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Petit Verdot

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

Taurasi

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

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

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 lighter, 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 lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

Similar but fruitier

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

Barossa Shiraz

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

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

Bolgheri

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 lighter in alcohol, and more oaky.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

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

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more oaky.

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.

Priorat

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and broader and softer.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more oaky.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more oaky.

Madiran

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

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

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Priorat

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and softer and rounder.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more oaky.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more oaky.

Chianti Classico

curated

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

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

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Bolgheri

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 lighter in alcohol, and more oaky.

Madiran

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

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

Napa Valley 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 oaky, and broader and softer.

Priorat

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and broader and softer.

Change the mood

Safer, stranger, cheaper or more serious.

A safe next step

Well-known wines that are widely available and unlikely to surprise anyone.

Priorat

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and broader and softer.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more oaky.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and spicier.

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fruitier.

Something more adventurous

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

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more oaky.

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and broader and softer.

Sagrantino

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

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

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

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.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more oaky.

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and broader and softer.

Sagrantino

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

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

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

A step up

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

Priorat

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and broader and softer.

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fruitier.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and spicier.

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.