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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 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.

Chianti Classico

curated

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

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
A little less light or thin.

Priorat

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

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less light or thin.

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less light or thin.

Sagrantino

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

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less light or thin.

Madiran

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

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less light or thin.

Amarone della Valpolicella

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 light or thin.

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.

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
A little less light or thin.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
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.

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 fruitier, 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 fruitier, and more tannic and structured.

Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.

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 fruitier, and more tannic and structured.

Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.

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 fruitier, and spicier.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

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

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.

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 fruitier.

Chianti Classico

curated

The 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 lighter in alcohol, 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 fruitier, 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.

Red Burgundy

Red Burgundy 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.

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.

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 fruitier, and spicier.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

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

Dalmatian Plavac Mali

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

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

Douro red

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

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

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

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.

Tinta Negra

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.

Barbera

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

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 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 fruitier, and more tannic and structured.

Priorat

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

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

Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.

Similar but softer

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

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

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

Priorat

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

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

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 fruitier, and spicier.

Plavac Mali

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

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

The sparkling version

Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.

Sparkling Shiraz

Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Chianti across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Lambrusco

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.

Priorat

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

Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and fruitier.

Similar but sweeter

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

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

Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.

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 fruitier, and spicier.

Tawny Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.

Change the flavour

Same shape, different aromatic character.

Similar but less oaky

One of the commonest requests in wine. Strips oak influence while holding grape character and weight.

Cornalin

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Broad-leaved Melnik

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Bobal

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Priorat

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

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

Ribera del Duero

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

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

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 more fruit-driven, 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 fruitier, and more fruit-driven.

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.

Barbaresco

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

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

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

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 fruitier, and more aromatic.

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

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

Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.

Chianti Classico

curated

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

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

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 lighter in alcohol.

Barbaresco

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.

Douro red

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

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

Cahors

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

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.

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 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.

Similar but fruitier

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

Priorat

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

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

Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.

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 fruitier, and more fruit-driven.

Change the place

Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.

Same grape, somewhere else

Holds the variety constant and changes the place, which is often a bigger change than swapping the grape.

Priorat

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

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

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 fruitier.

Red Bordeaux

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

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

Cahors

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

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

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.

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 lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

Sangiovese

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.

Rosso di Montalcino

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.

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Madiran

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.

Priorat

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

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

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 more fruit-driven, and fruitier.

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 more fruit-driven.

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 fruitier, and more tannic and structured.

Chianti Classico

curated

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

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

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 fruitier, and spicier.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

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

Something more adventurous

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

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

Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.

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 fruitier.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

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

Expect: Expect it to be 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.

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

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

Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.

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 fruitier.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

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

Expect: Expect it to be 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.

Priorat

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

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

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.

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 fruitier, and spicier.

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.