If you like this, try…

Wines like Vin Doux Naturel

Roussillon’s fortified sweet wines — Banyuls, Maury and Rivesaltes — and among the few wines that genuinely work with chocolate. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

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What do you like about Vin Doux Naturel?

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 rich dark fruit How full and weighty it is The touch of sweetness

But it’s a bit…

too jammy or sweet-tasting too heavy too soft or too easy too oaky or woody too peppery too sweet

Clear all

What these words mean

The rich dark fruit: Blackberry, plum, black cherry — fruit that tastes ripe and generous rather than tart. It comes from warm-climate ripening and it is what most people mean when they call a red "fruity".
How 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.
How smooth and soft it is: Low tannin. Tannin is the drying, gum-gripping sensation in red wine — like strong tea. A smooth red has little of it.
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 touch of sweetness: Actual sugar left in the wine, which is a different thing from tasting fruity. A wine can smell of ripe peach and be completely dry.

Looking for something moving away from too soft or too easy and too jammy or sweet-tasting.

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.

Vintage Port

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

Substantially less soft or too easy.
About as jammy or sweet-tasting as the wine you started from.

Port

curated

The same fundamental technique applied to Portuguese varieties.

A little less soft or too easy.
About as jammy or sweet-tasting as the wine you started from.

Tannat

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

Substantially less soft or too easy.
Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.

Madiran

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

Substantially less soft or too easy.
Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.

Tawny Port

Both sit in the same style family.

More soft or too easy, not less.
Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.

Mavrud

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

Substantially less soft or too easy.
Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.

Sagrantino

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

Substantially less soft or too easy.
Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

Substantially less soft or too easy.
Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Vintage Port

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Port

curated

The same fundamental technique applied to Portuguese varieties.

Expect: More powerful and tannic, and far better known.

Tannat

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

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

Madiran

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

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

Vintage Port

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Port

curated

The same fundamental technique applied to Portuguese varieties.

Expect: More powerful and tannic, and far better known.

Tannat

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

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

Madiran

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

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

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.

Mavrud

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.

Brunello di Montalcino

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

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

Aglianico

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

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

Taurasi

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Brunello di Montalcino

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

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

Aglianico

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

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

Taurasi

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Baga

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but less tannic

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

Tawny Port

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Vintage Port

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 rounder and creamier in texture.

Port

curated

The same fundamental technique applied to Portuguese varieties.

Expect: More powerful and tannic, and far better known.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Vintage Port

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 rounder and creamier in texture.

Port

curated

The same fundamental technique applied to Portuguese varieties.

Expect: More powerful and tannic, and far better known.

Tannat

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

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

Madiran

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

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

Similar but fresher

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

Vintage Port

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Port

curated

The same fundamental technique applied to Portuguese varieties.

Expect: More powerful and tannic, and far better known.

Brunello di Montalcino

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

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

Aglianico

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

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

Similar but softer

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

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.

Vintage Port

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Port

curated

The same fundamental technique applied to Portuguese varieties.

Expect: More powerful and tannic, and far better known.

The sparkling version

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

Sparkling Shiraz

Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Vin Doux Naturel across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Vin Doux Naturel across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Lambrusco

Lambrusco scores closest to Vin Doux Naturel across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Tannat

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

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

Similar but drier

Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.

Aglianico

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Baga

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Bairrada Baga

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barbaresco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Vintage Port

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Sagrantino

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

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

Port

curated

The same fundamental technique applied to Portuguese varieties.

Expect: More powerful and tannic, and far better known.

Tannat

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

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

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.

Vintage Port

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Broad-leaved Melnik

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

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

Cornalin

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Ruby Port

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Tawny Port

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Port

curated

The same fundamental technique applied to Portuguese varieties.

Expect: More powerful and tannic, and far better known.

Vintage Port

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Rioja

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Barbaresco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Syrah

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

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

Similar but more restrained

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

Vintage Port

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Port

curated

The same fundamental technique applied to Portuguese varieties.

Expect: More powerful and tannic, and far better known.

Tawny Port

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Tannat

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

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

Similar but more floral

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

Barbaresco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Syrah

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

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Tannat

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

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

Madiran

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

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

Sagrantino

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

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

Brunello di Montalcino

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

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Vintage Port

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Port

curated

The same fundamental technique applied to Portuguese varieties.

Expect: More powerful and tannic, and far better known.

Ruby Port

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Late Bottled Vintage Port

Both sit in the same style family.

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

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.

Priorat

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and drier.

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Rioja

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Rioja Reserva

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends

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

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

Montsant

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

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

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.

Port

curated

The same fundamental technique applied to Portuguese varieties.

Expect: More powerful and tannic, and far better known.

Vintage Port

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Tawny Port

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Brunello di Montalcino

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

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

Something more adventurous

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

Tannat

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

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

Madiran

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

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

Mavrud

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.

Sagrantino

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

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

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.

Tannat

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

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

Madiran

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

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

Mavrud

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.

Sagrantino

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

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

A step up

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

Vintage Port

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Port

curated

The same fundamental technique applied to Portuguese varieties.

Expect: More powerful and tannic, and far better known.

Priorat

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and drier.

Ribera del Duero

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

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

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.