If you like this, try…
Wines like Chianti
The broad Tuscan Sangiovese appellation surrounding Chianti Classico — lighter, cheaper and much more variable. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
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What do you like about Chianti?
Optional — the results below already work without it. But “I like Malbec” is at least four different preferences wearing one name, and saying which one you mean changes the answer substantially. Only qualities this wine actually has are offered.
What these words mean
- The bright red fruit
- Raspberry, redcurrant, sour cherry — lighter and sharper than dark fruit, usually from a cooler place or an earlier picking.
- How fresh and crisp it is
- Acidity is what makes your mouth water and makes a wine feel refreshing rather than heavy. It is the single most useful thing to know about your own taste.
- How light it is
- A wine you can drink without it feeling like a commitment. Usually lower in alcohol as well as lighter in the mouth.
- The herbal, green side
- Grass, blackcurrant leaf, green pepper, mint. It divides people more sharply than almost any other character.
- The savoury, meaty side
- Leather, olive, cured meat, dried herbs, tobacco. It is what people mean by calling a wine "serious" rather than "fruity", and it comes with age as well as with place.
- The earthy, mineral side
- Forest floor, wet stone, mushroom, damp earth. Widely described and much less well explained than wine writing implies — the sensation is real, the causal story usually is not.
Looking for something keeping the fresh, crisp acidity, while moving away from too light or thin, too sharp or acidic and too earthy or musty.
- You said you like the fresh, crisp acidity and that it is too sharp or acidic. Both are about acidity, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
- You said you like the fresh, crisp acidity and that it is too sharp or acidic. Both are about perceived freshness, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
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.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
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.
- Has noticeably less of the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Bolgheri
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
- Has noticeably less of the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Amarone della Valpolicella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Has noticeably less of the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Petite Sirah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
- A little less light or thin.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and lighter in alcohol.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and broader and softer.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, 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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and broader and softer.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and broader and softer.
Petite Sirah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and broader and softer.
Uruguayan Tannat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and lighter in alcohol.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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.
Tibouren
Tibouren 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.
Frappato
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Beaujolais
Beaujolais 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.
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.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Pinot Meunier
Pinot Meunier scores closest to Chianti across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and broader and softer.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, 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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Petite Sirah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, 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 lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
Barbera d’Asti
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Muscat Bailey A
Muscat Bailey A scores closest to Chianti across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Petite Sirah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and broader and softer.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and lighter in alcohol.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and broader and softer.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, 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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and broader and softer.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and broader and softer.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and broader and softer.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and lighter in alcohol.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Lambrusco
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
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 stiller, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Port
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and broader and softer.
Late Bottled Vintage Port
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and broader and softer.
Vintage Port
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, 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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and broader and softer.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but less oaky
One of the commonest requests in wine. Strips oak influence while holding grape character and weight.
Bobal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Cornalin
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Corvinone
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Nero di Troia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and broader and softer.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and broader and softer.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
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, and broader and softer.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
Morgon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and earthier.
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.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and lighter in alcohol.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and broader and softer.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, 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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and broader and softer.
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 lighter, and softer and rounder.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and broader and softer.
Petit Verdot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and broader and softer.
Australian Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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 both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and lighter.
Rioja Gran Reserva
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and lighter.
Taurasi
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fresher and more acidic.
Northern Rhône Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and lighter.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, 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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and lighter in alcohol.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and lighter in alcohol.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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 lighter, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
Nothing in WineHQ's catalogue makes this move meaningfully from here. These are the closest wines otherwise, but do not expect them to deliver what you asked for — the honest answer is that this style does not have a good neighbour in that direction.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and lighter in alcohol.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and broader and softer.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and broader and softer.
Rosso di Montalcino
Both are made from sangiovese, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, 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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, 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.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, 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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and broader and softer.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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, and broader and softer.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and lighter in 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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, 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 softer and rounder, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Petite Sirah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and broader and softer.
A better-value alternative
Wines that occupy similar sensory territory from regions carrying less price premium. WineHQ does not hold live prices, so this reasons from regional reputation and demand rather than from a price feed — treat it as a lead, not a quote.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and lighter in 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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, 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 softer and rounder, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Petite Sirah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and broader and softer.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and broader and softer.
Chianti Classico
curatedThe historic heartland zone, with stricter rules and higher altitude.
Expect: More structure, more concentration and a higher price.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and broader and softer.
Red Bordeaux
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and earthier.
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.