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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 peppery, too austere and too soft or too easy.

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.

Sagrantino

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

Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less soft or too easy.

Tinto Cão

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

Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less soft or too easy.

Montefalco Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less soft or too easy.

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less austere.
A little less soft or too easy.

Touriga Nacional

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

About as peppery as the wine you started from.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less soft or too easy.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less austere.
A little less soft or too easy.

Naoussa Xinomavro

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

Substantially less peppery.
About as austere as the wine you started from.
Substantially less soft or too easy.

Tannat

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Substantially less peppery.
About as austere as the wine you started from.
Substantially less soft or too easy.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Sagrantino

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

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

Tinto Cão

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.

Montefalco Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.

Different grape, similar feel

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

Sagrantino

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

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

Tinto Cão

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.

Montefalco Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.

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.

Tinto Cão

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.

Dolcetto

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

Rondinella

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and drier.

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.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.

Dornfelder

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and drier.

Rondo

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and drier.

Fer Servadou

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Touriga Nacional

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and spicier.

Toro

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Priorat

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Alicante Bouschet

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

Similar but less tannic

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

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.

Sagrantino

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

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

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.

Touriga Nacional

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and spicier.

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

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

Sagrantino

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

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

Touriga Nacional

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and spicier.

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 less spicy.

Similar but fresher

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

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 less spicy.

Baga

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Bairrada Baga

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barbaresco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but softer

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

Toro

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and drier.

Alicante Bouschet

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

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 less tannic and softer, and less spicy.

Sparkling Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Lambrusco

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and drier.

Sagrantino

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

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Sagrantino

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

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

Tinto Cão

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.

Touriga Franca

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.

Touriga Nacional

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and spicier.

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

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.

Corvinone

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and drier.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Pinotage

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and drier.

Rioja Reserva

curated

The next tier up in the same hierarchy.

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

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Barbaresco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Barolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Cabernet Franc

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

Similar but more restrained

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

Sagrantino

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

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

Tinto Cão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.

Montefalco Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.

Similar but more floral

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

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.

Touriga Nacional

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and spicier.

Barbaresco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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 less spicy.

Similar but more savoury

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

Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fuller and richer.

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

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 less spicy.

Xinomavro

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.

Touriga Nacional

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and spicier.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and drier.

Toro

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Primitivo

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and drier.

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 both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

Douro red

Both are made from tempranillo.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

Both are made from grenache.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Barossa Shiraz

Both are made from grenache.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Dão

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

Montsant

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

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 less tannic and softer.

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 drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

Both are made from grenache.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Barossa Shiraz

Both are made from grenache.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Priorat

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

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.

Barbaresco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Chianti Classico

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Barolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Something more adventurous

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

Sagrantino

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

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

Tinto Cão

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.

Montefalco Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.

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.

Sagrantino

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

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

Tinto Cão

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.

Montefalco Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.

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 drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Ribera del Duero

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and drier.

Super Tuscan

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

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