If you like this, try…
Wines like Corvina
Valpolicella’s principal variety: pale, sour-cherry-scented and the foundation of Amarone. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Corvina?
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 bright red fruit
- Raspberry, redcurrant, sour cherry — lighter and sharper than dark fruit, usually from a cooler place or an earlier picking.
- 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.
- 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 fresh and crisp it is
- Acidity is what makes your mouth water and makes a wine feel refreshing rather than heavy. It is the single most useful thing to know about your own taste.
- 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 peppery.
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.
Barbera d’Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less peppery.
Gamay
curatedOrdinary Valpolicella occupies similar territory to Beaujolais.
- Substantially less peppery.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less peppery.
Corvinone
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less peppery.
Montepulciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less peppery.
Lagrein
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less peppery.
Valpolicella
Both are made from corvina, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
- Substantially less peppery.
Barbera d’Alba
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less peppery.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Barbera d’Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Gamay
curatedOrdinary Valpolicella occupies similar territory to Beaujolais.
Expect: More granitic and floral.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Corvinone
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.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Barbera d’Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Corvinone
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.
Montepulciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, 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.
Dolcetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Gamay
curatedOrdinary Valpolicella occupies similar territory to Beaujolais.
Expect: More granitic and floral.
Rondinella
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.
Valpolicella
Both are made from corvina, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter.
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.
Valpolicella
Both are made from corvina, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more floral.
Gamay
curatedOrdinary Valpolicella occupies similar territory to Beaujolais.
Expect: More granitic and floral.
Cru Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more floral.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Alicante Bouschet
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Toro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more tannic and structured.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more tannic and structured.
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, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Barbera d’Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Barbera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more tannic and structured.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more tannic and structured.
Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more tannic and structured.
Madiran
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more tannic and structured.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Barbera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Barbera d’Asti
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 drier.
Rosso di Montalcino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more herbal and green.
Valpolicella
Both are made from corvina, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and broader and softer.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and broader and softer.
Montepulciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and stiller.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and stiller.
Sparkling Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and sweeter.
Franciacorta
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more sparkling.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Barbera d’Asti
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 fresher.
Valpolicella
Both are made from corvina, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and broader and softer.
Montepulciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and broader and softer.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more floral.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more tannic and structured.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, 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.
Ciliegiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Colorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and broader and softer.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and less oaky.
Super Tuscan
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more herbal and green.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more aromatic.
Gamay
curatedOrdinary Valpolicella occupies similar territory to Beaujolais.
Expect: More granitic and floral.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more herbal and green.
Morgon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.
Pinot Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Gamay
curatedOrdinary Valpolicella occupies similar territory to Beaujolais.
Expect: More granitic and floral.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more herbal and green.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more tannic and structured.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Chianti Classico Riserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Carignan
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Chianti Classico
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more herbal and green.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and broader and softer.
Barbera d’Alba
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Toro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more tannic and structured.
Change the place
Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
Valpolicella
Both are made from corvina, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Valpolicella Ripasso
Both are made from corvina, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and softer and rounder.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Both are made from corvina, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Valpolicella
Both are made from corvina, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter.
Valpolicella Ripasso
Both are made from corvina, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and lighter.
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.
Gamay
curatedOrdinary Valpolicella occupies similar territory to Beaujolais.
Expect: More granitic and floral.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Barbera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Barbera d’Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Corvinone
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.
Montepulciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Lagrein
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
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.
Barbera d’Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Corvinone
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.
Montepulciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Lagrein
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Ribera del Duero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and earthier.
Priorat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more tannic and structured.
Super Tuscan
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more herbal and green.
Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and drier.
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.