If you like this, try…
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.
Refine
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.
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 and too jammy or sweet-tasting.
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.
Dão
Both are made from tempranillo, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Rioja Reserva
curatedThe next tier up in the same hierarchy.
- About as peppery as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Chianti Classico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Chianti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Carignan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Etna Rosso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Chianti Classico Riserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Dão
Both are made from tempranillo, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more floral.
Rioja Reserva
curatedThe next tier up in the same hierarchy.
Expect: More tertiary leather and tobacco, less primary fruit.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
Chianti Classico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more herbal and green.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
Chianti Classico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more herbal and green.
Chianti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fresher.
Carignan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
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.
Dão
Both are made from tempranillo, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more floral.
País
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
Tibouren
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
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.
English still Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
País
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
Tibouren
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Priorat
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.
Toro
Both are made from tempranillo, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less spicy.
Ribera del Duero
Both are made from tempranillo, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.
Douro red
Both are made from tempranillo, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.
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 fruitier, and less spicy.
Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.
Friulano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.
Greco di Tufo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic 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 less spicy, and more tannic and structured.
Bairrada Baga
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more tannic and structured.
Barbaresco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
Dão
Both are made from tempranillo, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more floral.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Chianti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more herbal and green.
Chianti Classico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more herbal and green.
Chianti Classico Riserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.
Etna Rosso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Tempranillo
Both are made from tempranillo, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and earthier.
Mourvèdre
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and earthier.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less spicy.
Merlot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Rioja Crianza across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Rioja Crianza across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Corpinnat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more sparkling.
Cava
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more sparkling.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less spicy.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less spicy.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less spicy.
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.
Dão
Both are made from tempranillo, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more oaky.
Tibouren
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
País
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
Chianti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more oaky.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Rioja Reserva
curatedThe next tier up in the same hierarchy.
Expect: More tertiary leather and tobacco, less primary fruit.
Rioja
Both are made from tempranillo, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and less oaky.
Tempranillo
Both are made from tempranillo, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and less oaky.
Ribera del Duero
Both are made from tempranillo, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Barbaresco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more aromatic.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more aromatic.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more savoury.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Palomino Fino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.
Franken Silvaner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.
Muscadet
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Barbaresco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more tannic and structured.
Dão
Both are made from tempranillo, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more floral.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
Etna Rosso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Cahors
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
Carignan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
Chianti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fresher.
Chianti Classico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more herbal and green.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Toro
Both are made from tempranillo, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less spicy.
Barbera d’Alba
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less spicy.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
California Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Rioja Crianza across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Rioja Crianza across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less spicy.
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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more floral.
Douro red
Both are made from tempranillo, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.
Alentejo red
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 fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Grenache
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.
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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more floral.
Rioja Reserva
curatedThe next tier up in the same hierarchy.
Expect: More tertiary leather and tobacco, less primary fruit.
Rioja
Both are made from tempranillo, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and softer and rounder.
Montsant
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less spicy.
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 fruitier, and less spicy.
Ribera del Duero
Both are made from tempranillo, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.
Priorat
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.
Douro red
Both are made from tempranillo, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more herbal and green.
Chianti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fresher.
Rioja Reserva
curatedThe next tier up in the same hierarchy.
Expect: More tertiary leather and tobacco, less primary fruit.
Barbaresco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more tannic and structured.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Dão
Both are made from tempranillo, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more floral.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
Carignan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
Etna Rosso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
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.
Dão
Both are made from tempranillo, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more floral.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
Carignan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
Etna Rosso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Ribera del Duero
Both are made from tempranillo, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.
Priorat
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.
Super Tuscan
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Both are made from grenache.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.
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.