If you like this, try…
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.
Refine
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.
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 vanilla, toast and oak character and the firm tannic structure, while 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.
Ribera del Duero
curatedThe same grape on a high, extreme plateau a short distance away.
- Keeps the vanilla, toast and oak character.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
Barossa Shiraz
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the vanilla, toast and oak character.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the vanilla, toast and oak character.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Super Tuscan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the vanilla, toast and oak character.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the vanilla, toast and oak character.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Bolgheri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the vanilla, toast and oak character.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the vanilla, toast and oak character.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the vanilla, toast and oak character, though less of it.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- 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.
Ribera del Duero
curatedThe same grape on a high, extreme plateau a short distance away.
Expect: Denser, darker and more structured, with black fruit rather than red.
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.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Super Tuscan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Super Tuscan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Bolgheri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more herbal and green.
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.
Blaufränkisch
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 spicier.
Dolcetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Egri Bikavér
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 oaky.
Cru Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Dolcetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Mondeuse Noire
Mondeuse Noire scores closest to Rioja across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, 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 less oaky, and fruitier.
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.
Ribera del Duero
curatedThe same grape on a high, extreme plateau a short distance away.
Expect: Denser, darker and more structured, with black fruit rather than red.
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 less tannic and softer, and less oaky.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, 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 less tannic and softer, and less oaky.
California Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less oaky.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Petit Verdot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less oaky.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less oaky.
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 tannic and structured, and less spicy.
Petite Sirah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Blaufränkisch
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and spicier.
Chianti Classico
curatedBoth are savoury, medium-bodied, cherry-fruited food reds.
Expect: Much higher acidity and firmer tannin, with tomato leaf in place of vanilla.
Sangiovese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less oaky.
Saperavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more savoury.
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 less oaky, and fruitier.
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.
Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less tannic and softer.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Rioja across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Rioja across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Barossa Shiraz
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and fruitier.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Chosen because you asked for something sweeter.
Port
Both are made from tempranillo, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and sweeter.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less oaky.
Late Bottled Vintage Port
Both are made from tempranillo, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less oaky.
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.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
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 less oaky, and less tannic and softer.
Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more herbal and green.
Fetească Neagră
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 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 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.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting.
Ribera del Duero
curatedThe same grape on a high, extreme plateau a short distance away.
Expect: Denser, darker and more structured, with black fruit rather than red.
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 less oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more herbal and green.
Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more savoury.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, 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.
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 more aromatic.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic.
Super Tuscan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more herbal and green.
Ribera del Duero
curatedThe same grape on a high, extreme plateau a short distance away.
Expect: Denser, darker and more structured, with black fruit rather than red.
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 less oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Douro red
curatedDry Douro reds use Tempranillo (as Tinta Roriz) among other varieties.
Expect: More floral and mineral, with firmer structure.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less oaky.
Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more savoury.
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 less tannic and softer.
Chianti Classico Riserva
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less spicy.
Taurasi
Taurasi scores closest to Rioja across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more tannic and structured.
Northern Rhône Syrah
Northern Rhône Syrah scores closest to Rioja across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and spicier.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
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.
Blaufränkisch
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 spicier.
Bolgheri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more herbal and green.
Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more herbal and green.
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.
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 less oaky, and fruitier.
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 less tannic and softer, and less oaky.
Douro red
curatedDry Douro reds use Tempranillo (as Tinta Roriz) among other varieties.
Expect: More floral and mineral, with firmer structure.
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 less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Rioja Reserva
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 savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
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 less tannic and softer, and less oaky.
Ribera del Duero
curatedThe same grape on a high, extreme plateau a short distance away.
Expect: Denser, darker and more structured, with black fruit rather than red.
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 less oaky, and fruitier.
Ribera del Duero
curatedThe same grape on a high, extreme plateau a short distance away.
Expect: Denser, darker and more structured, with black fruit rather than red.
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 tannic and structured, and less spicy.
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.
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.
Super Tuscan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Ribera del Duero
curatedThe same grape on a high, extreme plateau a short distance away.
Expect: Denser, darker and more structured, with black fruit rather than red.
Shiraz
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.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Bolgheri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more herbal and green.
Douro red
curatedDry Douro reds use Tempranillo (as Tinta Roriz) among other varieties.
Expect: More floral and mineral, with firmer structure.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
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.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Bolgheri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more herbal and green.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Blaufränkisch
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 spicier.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Ribera del Duero
curatedThe 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 tannic and structured, and more savoury.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less oaky.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more savoury.
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.