If you like this, try…
Wines like Zinfandel
California’s brambly, high-alcohol red, at its best from field-blend vineyards over a century old. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Zinfandel?
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 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".
- The bright red fruit
- Raspberry, redcurrant, sour cherry — lighter and sharper than dark fruit, usually from a cooler place or an earlier picking.
- 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.
Looking for something moving away from 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.
Bekaa Valley Red
Both are made from carignan, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Southern Rhône blend
Both are made from carignan, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Fetească Neagră
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Priorat
Both are made from carignan, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Alentejo red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Rioja
Both are made from carignan, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Agiorgitiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- 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.
Bekaa Valley Red
Both are made from carignan, 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 earthier.
Southern Rhône blend
Both are made from carignan, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and earthier.
Fetească Neagră
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 fresher and more acidic.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fresher and more acidic.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Fetească Neagră
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 fresher and more acidic.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fresher and more acidic.
Alentejo red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
Agiorgitiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
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.
Egri Bikavér
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Prokupac
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Areni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
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.
Trousseau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter in alcohol.
Corvina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fresher and more acidic.
Washington Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and earthier.
Valpolicella Ripasso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Priorat
Both are made from carignan, 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 tannic and structured.
Super Tuscan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and drier.
Uruguayan Tannat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and drier.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and earthier.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Barbera d’Alba
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher and more acidic.
California Chardonnay
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 rounder and creamier in texture.
Tawny Port
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and sweeter.
Marsanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Bekaa Valley Red
Both are made from carignan, 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 earthier.
Madiran
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less spicy.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less spicy.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more floral.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Areni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more floral.
Blaufränkisch
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and earthier.
Carignan
Both are made from carignan, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more savoury.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Marsanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less tannic and softer.
Grenache Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less tannic and softer.
Southern Rhône blend
Both are made from carignan, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and fresher and more acidic.
Alentejo red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
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.
Sparkling Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
California traditional-method sparkling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more sparkling.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Bekaa Valley Red
Both are made from carignan, 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 earthier.
Southern Rhône blend
Both are made from carignan, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and earthier.
Priorat
Both are made from carignan, 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 tannic and structured.
Fetească Neagră
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 acidic, and more tannic and structured.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Tawny Port
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and sweeter.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less oaky.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more tannic and structured.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, 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.
Bobal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Castelão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Cornalin
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and drier.
Nero di Troia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and leaner and more cutting.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Pinotage
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 earthier.
Rioja
Both are made from carignan, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more savoury.
Super Tuscan
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 more herbal and green.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less oaky.
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 drier, and more tannic and structured.
Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and earthier.
Barbaresco
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more savoury.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, 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.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less tannic and softer.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less tannic and softer.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less tannic and softer.
Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less tannic and softer.
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 drier, and more tannic and structured.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more savoury.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more herbal and green.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more savoury.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Bekaa Valley Red
Both are made from carignan, 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 earthier.
Carignan
Both are made from carignan, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Jumilla Monastrell
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and earthier.
Languedoc red
Both are made from carignan, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more herbal and green.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
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.
Bekaa Valley Red
Both are made from carignan, 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 earthier.
Priorat
Both are made from carignan, 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 tannic and structured.
Languedoc red
Both are made from carignan, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more herbal and green.
Southern Rhône blend
Both are made from carignan, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and earthier.
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.
Bekaa Valley Red
Both are made from carignan, 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 earthier.
Southern Rhône blend
Both are made from carignan, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and earthier.
Priorat
Both are made from carignan, 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 tannic and structured.
Rioja
Both are made from carignan, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more savoury.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
Bekaa Valley Red
Both are made from carignan, 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 earthier.
Rioja
Both are made from carignan, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more savoury.
Montsant
Both are made from carignan, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more herbal and green.
Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends
Both are made from carignan, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more herbal and green.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Primitivo
curatedThe same variety under its Italian name.
Expect: Riper, softer and more dried-fruit in character.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Priorat
Both are made from carignan, 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 fresher and more acidic.
Southern Rhône blend
Both are made from carignan, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more herbal and 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.
Southern Rhône blend
Both are made from carignan, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and earthier.
Priorat
Both are made from carignan, 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 tannic and structured.
Rioja
Both are made from carignan, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more savoury.
Rioja Crianza
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Bekaa Valley Red
Both are made from carignan, 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 earthier.
Fetească Neagră
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 fresher and more acidic.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fresher and more acidic.
Alentejo red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
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.
Bekaa Valley Red
Both are made from carignan, 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 earthier.
Fetească Neagră
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 fresher and more acidic.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fresher and more acidic.
Alentejo red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Priorat
Both are made from carignan, 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 tannic and structured.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and earthier.
Super Tuscan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and drier.
Barossa Shiraz
curatedA comparably ripe, high-alcohol, old-vine warm-climate red.
Expect: Denser and more chocolatey, with more oak.
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.