Try These Alternative Varietals If You Love These Grapes
If You Love This, Try That: Smart Wine Alternatives
Every wine enthusiast has favorites, but there’s a whole world of lesser-known varietals waiting to be discovered. Whether you’re a devoted Cabernet fan or a Chardonnay loyalist, use this guide to explore new bottles that match your current preferences—without straying too far from your comfort zone.
Red wines
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If you love Cabernet Sauvignon, try…
Known for full body, high tannins, and dark fruit, Cabernet is a cornerstone. Two smart alternates:
Cabernet Franc — Similar dark fruit with more herbal/savory notes; a bit lighter in body and tannin but keeps structure and complexity.
Carménère — Chilean cousin with dark fruit, herbs, and a distinctive green-pepper note; smooth tannins for Cab lovers.
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If you love Merlot, try…
Smooth texture and plum-driven flavors? Consider:
Corvina — Medium-bodied, bright acidity, red cherry and herbs; great with Mediterranean cuisine.
Negroamaro — Southern Italian, rich and bold with dark fruits, coffee, chocolate; similar smoothness with a rustic edge.
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If you love Pinot Noir, try…
Elegant and red-fruited—two kindred spirits:
Gamay — Vibrant strawberry/cherry, low tannin, fresh and aromatic.
Schiava — Light, fragrant, delicate red berries, almond and herb notes; a refreshing, off-the-beaten-path pick.
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If you love Syrah/Shiraz, try…
Bold, peppery, dark-fruited? Explore:
Mencía — Peppery spice, savory tones, stemmy aromatics; a Spanish sleeper with Syrah vibes.
Petite Sirah — Deep color, rich tannins, concentrated black fruit, and that familiar peppery edge.
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If you love Grenache/Garnacha, try…
Red fruit and spice lovers will appreciate:
Zinfandel — From elegant red-fruited styles to jammy, high-octane bottles depending on site and hang time.
Valpolicella — Corvina-led blends with juicy cherry and soft tannins; in Amarone form, ultra-concentrated dried fruit, chocolate, spice.
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If you love Sangiovese, try…
Nebbiolo — High acidity, cherry and savory tones; more tannic but similarly complex.
Touriga Franca — Bold, tannic structure, ripe fruit with floral and spice-driven character.
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If you love Nebbiolo, try…
Aglianico — Southern Italian power; firm tannins, dark fruit, savory herbs; ages into dried flowers, leather, black tea.
Tannat — Muscular tannins with blackberry, smoke, cocoa; modern versions tame the grip while keeping depth.
Xinomavro — Greece’s Nebbiolo-like star: roses, tar, red fruit, high acidity; gains ethereal complexity with age.
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If you love Tempranillo, try…
Agiorgitiko — Balances red cherry fruit and earthen tones; takes to oak, layering tobacco/vanilla.
Montepulciano — Ripe cherries/plums, blackberry and cocoa; velvety tannins, especially in Riserva bottlings.
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If you love Malbec, try…
Monastrell (Mourvèdre/Mataro) — Blackberry, plum, savory spice; rich and dark like Malbec.
Nero d’Avola — Bold Sicilian; deep color, dark cherry/plum, black pepper, generous fruit.
White wines
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If you love Chardonnay, try…
Viognier — Full-bodied and rich with floral/stone-fruit aromatics.
Marsanne — Nutty, stone-fruited, textural; mirrors Chardonnay’s richness.
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If you love Sauvignon Blanc, try…
Verdejo — Zesty citrus and herb notes with fennel/almond complexity and a richer mid-palate.
Verdicchio — Mineral-driven citrus/green apple; saline snap; can age into honey/almond depth.
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If you love Riesling, try…
Furmint — High acidity, green apple and citrus, racy and mineral.
Silvaner — Understated florals with crisp fruit/acid balance; very food-friendly.
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If you love Pinot Gris/Grigio, try…
Albariño — Crisp, zesty citrus with stone-fruit and a saline flourish; seafood magnet.
Garganega (Soave) — Light, refreshing, slightly richer mouthfeel; almond/spice and aging potential in Classico.
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If you love Chenin Blanc, try…
Ribolla Gialla — Versatile from crisp/mineral to textural/skin-contact; apple, nutty, honeyed tones with age.
Godello — Crisp apple/citrus/mineral in youth; waxy, honeyed complexity with age and lees work.
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If you love Sémillon, try…
Roussanne — Full-bodied, waxy texture, honeyed notes with herbs and stone fruit.
Ribolla Gialla — Textural weight and complexity akin to Sémillon; nutty/floral character.
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If you love Viognier, try…
Grk — Rare Croatian white with citrusy freshness that gains honeyed, herbal complexity with age.
Voski — Ancient Armenian variety; waxy weight, mountain herbs, stone fruit; often amphora-influenced texture.
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If you love Gewürztraminer, try…
Muscat — Floral/exotic fruit intensity (orange blossom, sweet herbs); shines in dry and off-dry styles.
Torrontés — Perfumed and fresh; rose petal and citrus lift with a crisp finish.
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If you love Muscat Blanc, try…
Moschofilero — Mountain-fresh florals, grape-blossom perfume, rose petal; dry and lively.
Tămâioasă Românească — Headily aromatic; acacia honey, wild herbs; excellent dry and late-harvest styles.
Ended on a really esoteric one :)
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