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Wines like Rioja

Spain’s most famous red: Tempranillo-led, defined as much by its oak-ageing classification as by the grape. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

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What do you like about Rioja?

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 firm, grippy structure The vanilla and oak The savoury, meaty side

But it’s a bit…

too drying or too tannic too oaky or woody too peppery too earthy or musty too savoury or funky too austere

Clear all

What these words mean

The firm, grippy structure: High tannin — the drying grip on your gums, like over-brewed tea. It gives a red something to hold on to with rich food, and it is what lets a wine age.
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.
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.
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 keeping the savoury, non-fruity character, while moving away from too oaky or woody, too austere, too drying or too tannic, too peppery and too savoury or funky.

You said you like the savoury, non-fruity character and that it is too savoury or funky. Both are about savoury character, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
You said you like the savoury, non-fruity character and that it is too savoury or funky. Both are about fruit intensity, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.

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.

Bierzo Mencía

curated

For a Rioja drinker who finds the oak dominant and wants freshness instead.

Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
About as austere as the wine you started from.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Valpolicella Ripasso

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
About as peppery as the wine you started from.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Touriga Franca

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

Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less austere.
About as drying or too tannic as the wine you started from.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Corvina

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

Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
A little less oaky or woody.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
About as peppery as the wine you started from.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less peppery.
About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.

Rioja Crianza

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

Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
A little less oaky or woody.
About as austere as the wine you started from.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
About as peppery as the wine you started from.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Bierzo Mencía

curated

For a Rioja drinker who finds the oak dominant and wants freshness instead.

Expect: Much lighter and higher in acid, with graphite and floral red fruit.

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Valpolicella Ripasso

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Touriga Franca

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

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

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Valpolicella Ripasso

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Touriga Franca

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

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 less oaky.

Bierzo Mencía

curated

For a Rioja drinker who finds the oak dominant and wants freshness instead.

Expect: Much lighter and higher in acid, with graphite and floral red fruit.

Muscat Bailey A

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 oaky, and more fruit-driven.

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 less oaky.

Muscat Bailey A

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

English still Pinot Noir

English still Pinot Noir scores closest to Rioja 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.

Argentine Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Primitivo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Douro red

curated

Dry Douro reds use Tempranillo (as Tinta Roriz) among other varieties.

Expect: More floral and mineral, with firmer structure.

Similar but less tannic

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

Tinta Barroca

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

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

Valpolicella Ripasso

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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

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

Rioja Crianza

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 drier, and spicier.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Sagrantino

Sagrantino scores closest to Rioja across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less spicy.

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

Montefalco Sagrantino scores closest to Rioja across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Toro

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

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

Similar but fresher

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

Barbera d’Asti

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

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

Barbera

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

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

Chianti Classico

curated

Both are savoury, medium-bodied, cherry-fruited food reds.

Expect: Much higher acidity and firmer tannin, with tomato leaf in place of vanilla.

Barbera d’Alba

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

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

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 less oaky, and more fruit-driven.

Argentine Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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

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

Merlot

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

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

The sparkling version

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

Sparkling Shiraz

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

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Lambrusco

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

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

English sparkling rosé

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Tinta Barroca

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

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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 less tannic and softer.

Touriga Franca

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

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

Bierzo Mencía

curated

For a Rioja drinker who finds the oak dominant and wants freshness instead.

Expect: Much lighter and higher in acid, with graphite and floral red fruit.

Valpolicella Ripasso

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

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

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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

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

Morgon

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

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

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.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Touriga Franca

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

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

Rioja Crianza

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 drier, and spicier.

Merlot

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

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

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 oaky.

Morgon

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

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

Gamay

Gamay scores closest to Rioja across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Muscat Bailey A

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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.

Sémillon

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 oaky, and more fruit-driven.

Valpolicella Ripasso

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 oaky.

Touriga Franca

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

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

Bierzo Mencía

curated

For a Rioja drinker who finds the oak dominant and wants freshness instead.

Expect: Much lighter and higher in acid, with graphite and floral red fruit.

Gamay

Gamay scores closest to Rioja across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Chianti Classico Riserva

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione scores closest to Rioja across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

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

Naoussa Xinomavro

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Valpolicella Ripasso

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Touriga Franca

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

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

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 drier, and spicier.

Grenache

Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Australian Grenache

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 drier, and more fruit-driven.

Zinfandel

Both are made from carignan, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and drier.

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Graciano

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

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

Rioja Crianza

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 spicier.

Dão

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

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

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 drier, and more tannic and structured.

Same grape, warmer climate

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Toro

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

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

Barossa Shiraz

Both are made from grenache.

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

Douro red

curated

Dry Douro reds use Tempranillo (as Tinta Roriz) among other varieties.

Expect: More floral and mineral, with firmer structure.

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.

Rioja Crianza

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 spicier.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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

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

Merlot

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

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

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 less oaky.

Something more adventurous

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

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Valpolicella Ripasso

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Touriga Franca

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

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Valpolicella Ripasso

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Touriga Franca

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

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

A step up

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

Ribera del Duero

curated

The same grape on a high, extreme plateau a short distance away.

Expect: Denser, darker and more structured, with black fruit rather than red.

Amarone della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and drier.

Priorat

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

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

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Both are made from grenache.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.