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 oaky or woody.
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.
Montsant
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
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 oaky or woody.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
Bonarda
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
Rosso di Montalcino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Montsant
Both are made from grenache, 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 herbal and green.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
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 softer and rounder.
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.
Morgon
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.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
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 softer and rounder.
Morgon
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.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and softer and rounder.
Dolcetto
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 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.
Beaujolais
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more floral.
Cru Beaujolais
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 floral.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and softer and rounder.
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.
Cru Beaujolais
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.
English still Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fresher.
Muscat Bailey A
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Toro
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 more oaky, and less spicy.
Alicante Bouschet
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
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 more oaky, and spicier.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, 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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
Marsanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.
Godello
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 less tannic and softer.
Vidiano
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.
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.
Dolcetto
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 softer and rounder.
Montsant
Both are made from grenache, 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 herbal and green.
Rosso di Montalcino
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.
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.
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.
Langhe Nebbiolo
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 floral.
Rosso di Montalcino
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 softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
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 leaner and more cutting.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and leaner and more cutting.
Toro
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 more oaky, and less spicy.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
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 less oaky, and less spicy.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Rioja Crianza across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Sparkling Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
Franciacorta
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more sparkling.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Muscat Bailey A
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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 floral.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
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 softer and rounder.
Montsant
Both are made from grenache, 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 herbal and green.
Morgon
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 oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
California Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Rioja Crianza across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Rioja Crianza across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
Barossa Shiraz
Both are made from grenache.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
Rioja Reserva
curatedThe next tier up in the same hierarchy.
Expect: More tertiary leather and tobacco, less primary fruit.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Gamay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fresher.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more herbal and green.
Morgon
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.
Muscat Bailey A
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.
Pinot Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.
Franken Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more herbal and green.
Gamay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fresher.
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.
Cru Beaujolais
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.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
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.
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.
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 fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Toro
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 more oaky, and less spicy.
Barbera d’Alba
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
California Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Rioja Crianza across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
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.
Australian Grenache
Both are made from grenache, 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 more floral.
Grenache
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more herbal and green.
Alentejo red
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 more oaky, 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.
Montsant
Both are made from grenache, 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 softer and rounder.
Australian Grenache
Both are made from grenache, 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.
Grenache
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and softer and rounder.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Toro
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 more oaky, and less spicy.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more herbal and green.
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 more oaky, 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.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
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 softer and rounder.
Cru Beaujolais
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 floral.
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.
Gamay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fresher.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Montsant
Both are made from grenache, 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 herbal and green.
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.
Morgon
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.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and softer and rounder.
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.
Montsant
Both are made from grenache, 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 herbal and green.
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.
Morgon
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.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and softer and rounder.
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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more herbal and green.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
Ribera del Duero
Both are made from tempranillo, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, 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.