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Wines like Super Tuscan

A commercial category rather than an appellation: ambitious Tuscan reds that fell outside the DOC rules, usually built on Bordeaux varieties. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

← Back to Super Tuscan

Refine

What do you like about Super Tuscan?

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…

How full and weighty it is The firm, grippy structure The vanilla and oak

But it’s a bit…

too heavy too drying or too tannic too oaky or woody too green or grassy too peppery too austere

Clear all

What these words mean

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 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 herbal, green side: Grass, blackcurrant leaf, green pepper, mint. It divides people more sharply than almost any other character.
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 keeping the full body and weight and the vanilla, toast and oak character, while moving away from too green or grassy and too austere.

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.

Touriga Nacional

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

Keeps the full body and weight.
Has some of the vanilla, toast and oak character, though less of it.
Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less austere.

Bolgheri

curated

Bolgheri is where much of the category is now formally appellation-controlled.

Keeps the full body and weight.
Keeps the vanilla, toast and oak character.
About as green or grassy as the wine you started from.
About as austere as the wine you started from.

Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Keeps the full body and weight.
Has noticeably less of the vanilla, toast and oak character.
Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less austere.

Pinotage

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

Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
Keeps the vanilla, toast and oak character.
Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less austere.

Primitivo

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

Keeps the full body and weight.
Has some of the vanilla, toast and oak character, though less of it.
Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less austere.

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

Keeps the full body and weight.
Has some of the vanilla, toast and oak character, though less of it.
Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less austere.

Primitivo di Manduria

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

Keeps the full body and weight.
Has some of the vanilla, toast and oak character, though less of it.
Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less austere.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
Has some of the vanilla, toast and oak character, though less of it.
Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less austere.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Touriga Nacional

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.

Bolgheri

curated

Bolgheri is where much of the category is now formally appellation-controlled.

Expect: Essentially the same wine with a legal name.

Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

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

Pinotage

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Different grape, similar feel

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

Touriga Nacional

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.

Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

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

Pinotage

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Primitivo

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.

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.

Pinotage

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.

Corvina

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

Both come from the same country.

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

Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir scores closest to Super Tuscan across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Red Burgundy

Red Burgundy scores closest to Super Tuscan across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Muscat Bailey A

Muscat Bailey A scores closest to Super Tuscan across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

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.

Amarone della Valpolicella

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.

Primitivo di Manduria

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.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, 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 stronger and warmer.

Touriga Nacional

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.

Similar but less tannic

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

Primitivo

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.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Argentine Malbec

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.

Zinfandel

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Touriga Nacional

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.

Sagrantino

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 oaky.

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

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

Priorat

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

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

Similar but fresher

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

Brunello di Montalcino

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Saperavi

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.

Taurasi

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Similar but softer

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

Primitivo di Manduria

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.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.

Barossa Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.

Primitivo

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.

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 lighter, and less oaky.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

Both come from the same country.

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

Lambrusco

Both come from the same country.

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

Touriga Nacional

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

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Sagrantino

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 oaky.

Sparkling Shiraz

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

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

Touriga Nacional

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.

Touriga Franca

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.

Touriga Nacional

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.

Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

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.

Primitivo

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.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, 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 stronger and warmer.

Barossa Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.

Pinotage

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 lighter.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Barolo

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Syrah

Both are made from syrah.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Nebbiolo

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.

Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

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

Pinotage

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Primitivo

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.

Amarone della Valpolicella

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 floral

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

Touriga Nacional

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Barolo

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Similar but more savoury

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

Sagrantino

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 oaky.

Red Bordeaux

curated

The same varieties, in the style Super Tuscans were originally modelled on.

Expect: Less ripe and more earthy, with a firmer, drier finish.

Ribera del Duero

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Primitivo

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.

Primitivo di Manduria

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.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Touriga Nacional

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

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

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Barossa Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Brunello di Montalcino

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Sangiovese

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, 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 stronger and warmer.

Barossa Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.

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.

Primitivo

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.

Amarone della Valpolicella

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.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.

Something more adventurous

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

Touriga Nacional

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.

Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

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

Pinotage

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Primitivo di Manduria

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.

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.

Touriga Nacional

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.

Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

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

Pinotage

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Primitivo di Manduria

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.

A step up

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

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.

Ribera del Duero

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.

Priorat

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

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

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.

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.