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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 fresh, crisp acidity, the savoury, non-fruity character and the bright red-fruited character, while moving away from too light or thin.

You said you like the bright red-fruited character and that it is too light or thin. Both are about body, 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.

Chianti Classico

curated

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

Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
A little less light or thin.

Rosso di Montalcino

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 fresh, crisp acidity.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
A little less light or thin.

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 fresh, crisp acidity.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
A little less light or thin.

Sangiovese

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

Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
A little less light or thin.

Baga

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

Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
A little less light or thin.

Bairrada Baga

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

Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
A little less light or thin.

Chianti Classico Riserva

Both are made from sangiovese, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
A little less light or thin.

Aglianico

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

Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
A little 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.

Chianti Classico

curated

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

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

Rosso di Montalcino

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 lighter, and lighter in 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 lighter, and broader and softer.

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 lighter, 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.

Baga

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

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

Bairrada Baga

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

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

Aglianico

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

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

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 more fruit-driven.

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.

Valpolicella

Both come from the same country.

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

Molinara

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.

País

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

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

Tibouren

Tibouren 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.

Red Burgundy

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Loire Cabernet Franc

Loire Cabernet Franc scores closest to Chianti across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Cru Beaujolais

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Mondeuse Noire

Mondeuse Noire 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.

Chianti Classico

curated

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

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

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 softer and rounder.

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 more savoury.

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 more savoury.

Similar but less tannic

For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.

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 more fruit-driven.

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 fruitier.

Barbera

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.

Tinta Negra

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

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Baga

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

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

Bairrada Baga

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

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

Chianti Classico

curated

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

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

Rosso di Montalcino

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 lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

Similar but softer

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

Priorat

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

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

Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends

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

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

Super Tuscan

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

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

Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends

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 lighter.

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 broader and softer.

Lambrusco

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.

English sparkling wine

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Sagrantino

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

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

Saperavi

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

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

Tawny Port

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

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

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 more fruit-driven.

Graciano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter.

Cornalin

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Bobal

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Chianti Classico

curated

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

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

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 more savoury.

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 lighter, and broader and softer.

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 more savoury.

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 broader and softer.

Barbaresco

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

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

Barolo

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

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

Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir scores closest to Chianti across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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.

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.

Chianti Classico

curated

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

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

Rosso di Montalcino

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 lighter, and lighter in 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 lighter, and broader and softer.

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 lighter, 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 lighter, and broader and softer.

Barbaresco

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

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

Barolo

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

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

Etna Rosso

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.

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 lighter.

Taurasi

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

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

Barolo

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

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

Naoussa Xinomavro

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

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Rosso di Montalcino

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 lighter, and fruitier.

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 fruitier.

Refosco

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.

Barbera

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.

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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cahors

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

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

Priorat

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

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

Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends

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

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

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Chianti Classico

curated

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

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

Rosso di Montalcino

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 lighter, and lighter in 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 lighter, and broader and softer.

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 lighter, and broader and softer.

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Rosso di Montalcino

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 lighter, and fruitier.

Chianti Classico

curated

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

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

Priorat

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

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

Madiran

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

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

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.

Chianti Classico

curated

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

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

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 lighter, and broader and softer.

Nebbiolo

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

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

Barbaresco

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

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.

Rosso di Montalcino

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 lighter, and lighter in 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 lighter, and broader and softer.

Baga

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

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

Bairrada Baga

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

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

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.

Rosso di Montalcino

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 lighter, and lighter in 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 lighter, and broader and softer.

Baga

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

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

Bairrada Baga

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

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

A step up

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

Chianti Classico

curated

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

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

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 more savoury.

Barolo

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

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

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 lighter, and broader and softer.

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.