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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 moving away from too savoury or funky.

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.

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.

Substantially less savoury or funky.

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.

Substantially less savoury or funky.

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 savoury or funky.

Bierzo Mencía

curated

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

Substantially less savoury or funky.

Southern Rhône blend

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 savoury or funky.

Nero d’Avola

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

Substantially less savoury or funky.

Pinotage

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

Substantially less savoury or funky.

California Pinot Noir

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

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.

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less tannic and softer.

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, 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 oaky, and more herbal and green.

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.

Different grape, similar feel

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

Nero d’Avola

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less tannic and softer.

Pinotage

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

California Pinot Noir

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

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

Nemea Agiorgitiko

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

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

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 more floral, and less oaky.

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 oaky, and less spicy.

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.

Trousseau

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

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

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 fresher, and more floral.

Trousseau

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

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

Loire Cabernet Franc

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

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and fresher.

Mondeuse Noire

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Barossa Shiraz

Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Toro

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 fruitier, and less spicy.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Similar but less tannic

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

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less oaky.

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and softer and rounder.

Southern Rhône blend

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 more herbal and green, and less oaky.

Argentine Malbec

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

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Toro

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 fruitier, and less spicy.

Petit Verdot

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

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

Petite Sirah

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Touriga Nacional

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.

Similar but fresher

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

Barbera d’Alba

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

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

Barbera d’Asti

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

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

Blaufränkisch

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and leaner and more cutting.

Barbera

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

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

Similar but softer

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

Barossa Shiraz

Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Toro

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 fruitier, and less spicy.

The sparkling version

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

Sparkling Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Lambrusco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Port

Both are made from tempranillo, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.

Zinfandel

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

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

Pinotage

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

Expect: Chosen because you asked for something sweeter.

Late Bottled Vintage Port

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

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.

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.

Areni

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

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

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 more fruit-driven, and more floral.

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.

Bobal

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

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

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.

Barossa Shiraz

Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Pinotage

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.

Super Tuscan

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more herbal and green.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Malbec

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

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

Gamay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 oaky, and less spicy.

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and less floral.

Similar but more restrained

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

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 more aromatic, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

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 aromatic, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

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 more aromatic, and less oaky.

Southern Rhône blend

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 more aromatic, and more herbal and green.

Similar but more floral

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

Malbec

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

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

Gamay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

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 more fruit-driven, and less oaky.

Similar but more savoury

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

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.

Southern Rhône blend

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 more herbal and green, and less oaky.

California Pinot Noir

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

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

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.

Similar but fruitier

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

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, 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 more fruit-driven, and more floral.

Barossa Shiraz

Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

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.

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

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

Southern Rhône blend

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 more herbal and green, and less oaky.

Barossa Shiraz

Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Zinfandel

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

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

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Graciano

Both are made from graciano, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

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

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 softer and rounder, 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 more fruit-driven, and softer and rounder.

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Barossa Shiraz

Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Toro

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 fruitier, and less spicy.

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.

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less tannic and softer.

Southern Rhône blend

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 more herbal and green, and less oaky.

California Pinot Noir

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

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

Barossa Shiraz

Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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

Something more adventurous

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

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, 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 oaky, and more herbal and green.

Nero d’Avola

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less tannic and softer.

Pinotage

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

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.

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, 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 oaky, and more herbal and green.

Nero d’Avola

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less tannic and softer.

Pinotage

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

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.

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 savoury, and fuller and richer.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.