Comparison
Aglianico vs Malbec
How Aglianico and Malbec differ, dimension by dimension.
The short answer
The main differences: Aglianico has more earthy character; Aglianico has more acidity; Malbec has more floral character.
Where they genuinely differ
Only differences large enough to notice in the glass are listed here. A gap of half a point on a five-point scale is noise, and WineHQ does not dress it up as a finding.
Earthy character
Clear differenceForest floor, mushroom, wet stone, clay and undergrowth notes. Frequently, though not exclusively, associated with cooler and more traditional styles.
Aglianico is earthier: medium-plus against low.
Acidity
Clear differenceTotal perceived acidity. Rises in cooler climates and with earlier picking; falls with heat and ripeness.
Aglianico is fresher and more acidic: high against medium.
Floral character
Clear differenceBlossom, rose, violet, elderflower, acacia and related aromatic notes.
Malbec is more floral: medium against low.
Tannin
Clear differencePhenolic compounds from grape skins, seeds, stems and oak. The principal structural axis of red wine.
Aglianico is more tannic and structured: high against medium-plus.
Fruit intensity
Clear differenceHow loudly the fruit flavours speak, independent of whether they are ripe or tart.
Malbec is fruitier: medium-plus against medium.
Aromatic intensity
Clear differenceHow strongly the wine smells before it is tasted. Some grapes are intrinsically aromatic; others express mainly on the palate.
Malbec is more aromatic: medium-plus against medium.
Where they are much the same
Just as useful: knowing which parts of the choice do not matter.
- Sweetness: Similar — both low.
- Alcohol: Similar — both medium-plus.
- Body: Similar — both medium-plus.
- Oak influence: Similar — both medium.
- Herbal / green character: Similar — both low.
Full side by side
| Dimension | Aglianico | Malbec |
|---|---|---|
| Earthy character | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | low (1/5) |
| Acidity | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Floral character | low (1/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Tannin | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Fruit intensity | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) |
| Aromatic intensity | medium (3/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Savoury character | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium (3/5) |
| Perceived freshness | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium (3/5) |
| Texture | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium (3/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) |
| Sweetness | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Alcohol | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) |
| Body | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) |
| Oak influence | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Herbal / green character | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Spice | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium (3/5) |
| Carbonation | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Serve at | 16–18°C | 15–17°C |
| Typical flavours | black cherry, plum, leather, tobacco, ash | blackberry, black plum, violet, cocoa, blueberry |
Values are typical points within each wine’s range. Both wines vary — see the individual pages for how much.
Read more
Grape
Aglianico
Southern Italy’s most structured red variety, producing tannic, savoury, ageworthy wines in Campania and Basilicata.
Grape
Malbec
A dark, velvety variety that struggled in its French homeland and became Argentina’s national grape.
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