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Wines like Rioja Crianza

The entry tier of aged Rioja: a minimum of two years’ ageing with at least one in barrel, and the region’s everyday benchmark. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

← Back to Rioja Crianza

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What do you like about Rioja Crianza?

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…

But it’s a bit…

too jammy or sweet-tasting too soft or too easy too heavy too oaky or woody too peppery too austere

Clear all

What these words mean

The rich dark fruit: Blackberry, plum, black cherry — fruit that tastes ripe and generous rather than tart. It comes from warm-climate ripening and it is what most people mean when they call a red "fruity".
How smooth and soft it is: Low tannin. Tannin is the drying, gum-gripping sensation in red wine — like strong tea. A smooth red has little of it.
How full and weighty it is: Body is how much the wine seems to fill your mouth — the difference between skimmed and whole milk. It comes mostly from alcohol and ripeness.
The vanilla and oak: Vanilla, toast, coconut, sweet spice, sometimes smoke. It comes from the barrel rather than the grape, which is why the same grape can taste completely different with and without it.
The spice: Black pepper, clove, cinnamon. Some of it is the grape — the pepper in Syrah is a measured compound called rotundone — and some is the barrel.
That it is properly dry: No perceptible sugar at all. Almost all red wine is dry and a good deal of white wine is not, which is why this is a more useful thing to say about a white than about a red.

Looking for something moving away from too jammy or sweet-tasting, too austere, too oaky or woody, too peppery and too heavy.

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.

Tinto Cão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less peppery.
A little less heavy.

Dão

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

Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
About as austere as the wine you started from.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less peppery.
A little less heavy.

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less peppery.
A little less heavy.

Rondinella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less heavy.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

More jammy or sweet-tasting, not less.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less heavy.

Chianti

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

Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
About as austere as the wine you started from.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less peppery.
A little less heavy.

Etna Rosso

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

Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
About as austere as the wine you started from.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less peppery.
A little less heavy.

Portugieser

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less heavy.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Tinto Cão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Dão

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less oaky.

Rondinella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

Tinto Cão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less oaky.

Rondinella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Rondinella

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

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Portugieser

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.

Cabernet Franc

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.

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.

Grolleau

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Portugieser

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Priorat

Both are made from grenache, and both come from the same country.

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

Toro

Both are made from tempranillo, and both come from the same country.

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

Touriga Nacional

Touriga Nacional scores closest to Rioja Crianza across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Douro red

Both are made from tempranillo.

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

Similar but less tannic

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

Barbera d’Alba

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.

Sémillon

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.

Chenin Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.

Vouvray

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

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Tinto Cão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Dão

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.

Etna Rosso

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.

Naoussa Xinomavro

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.

Similar but fresher

Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.

Chianti

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.

Etna Rosso

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.

Nerello Mascalese

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.

Langhe Nebbiolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.

Similar but softer

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

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Montepulciano

Montepulciano scores closest to Rioja Crianza across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Mourvèdre

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

The sparkling version

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Lambrusco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Sparkling Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cava

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.

Similar but sweeter

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

Tinto Cão

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

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

Tinta Negra

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less oaky.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Tinto Cão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and stronger and warmer.

Rondinella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Rioja Reserva

curated

The next tier up in the same hierarchy.

Expect: More tertiary leather and tobacco, less primary fruit.

Rioja

Both are made from tempranillo, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.

Tempranillo

Both are made from tempranillo, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.

Pinotage

Pinotage scores closest to Rioja Crianza across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.

Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.

Barbaresco

Barbaresco scores closest to Rioja Crianza across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Gamay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more restrained

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

Sémillon

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.

Silvaner

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.

Trebbiano Toscano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Tinto Cão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more floral

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

Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.

Dão

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.

Etna Rosso

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.

Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.

Similar but more savoury

Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.

Dão

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.

Chianti

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.

Etna Rosso

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.

Nerello Mascalese

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.

Similar but fruitier

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

California Cabernet Sauvignon

California Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Rioja Crianza across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Barbera d’Alba

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.

Touriga Nacional

Touriga Nacional scores closest to Rioja Crianza across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Primitivo

Primitivo scores closest to Rioja Crianza across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

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.

Dão

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.

Australian Grenache

Both are made from grenache, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Grenache

Both are made from grenache.

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

Alentejo red

Both are made from tempranillo, and both sit in the same style family.

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

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.

Dão

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.

Montsant

Both are made from grenache, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Rioja Reserva

curated

The next tier up in the same hierarchy.

Expect: More tertiary leather and tobacco, less primary fruit.

Rioja

Both are made from tempranillo, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Toro

Both are made from tempranillo, and both come from the same country.

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

Both are made from grenache.

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

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Both are made from grenache.

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

Douro red

Both are made from tempranillo.

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

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

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.

Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.

Cru Beaujolais

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.

Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.

Something more adventurous

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

Tinto Cão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Dão

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less oaky.

Rondinella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Tinto Cão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Dão

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less oaky.

Rondinella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

A step up

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

Priorat

Both are made from grenache, and both come from the same country.

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

Ribera del Duero

Both are made from tempranillo, and both come from the same country.

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

Amarone della Valpolicella scores closest to Rioja Crianza across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Both are made from grenache.

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

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.