If you like this, try…
Wines like Malbec
A dark, velvety variety that struggled in its French homeland and became Argentina’s national grape. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Malbec?
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 firm, grippy structure
- High tannin — the drying grip on your gums, like over-brewed tea. It gives a red something to hold on to with rich food, and it is what lets a wine age.
- 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.
- How aromatic it is
- Some grapes announce themselves from across the room — Gewürztraminer, Muscat, Sauvignon Blanc. Others are far quieter, and quiet is not the same as dull.
- The floral character
- Rose, violet, elderflower, orange blossom.
- 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.
- That it is properly dry
- No perceptible sugar at all. Almost all red wine is dry and a good deal of white wine is not, which is why this is a more useful thing to say about a white than about a red.
Looking for something keeping how much it smells of, before you even taste it and the firm tannic structure, while moving away from too austere, too peppery and too oaky or woody.
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.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less peppery.
- A little less oaky or woody.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less peppery.
- A little less oaky or woody.
Cahors
Both are made from malbec, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Has noticeably less of the firm tannic structure.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
Corvinone
Corvinone scores closest to Malbec across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more oaky.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less oaky.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more oaky.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less oaky.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
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.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and drier.
Dolcetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
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.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and drier.
Dornfelder
Dornfelder scores closest to Malbec across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Toro
Toro scores closest to Malbec across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more neutral and subtle.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and drier.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and drier.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less oaky.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Montepulciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and drier.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more neutral and subtle.
Tannat
curatedMalbec’s traditional blending partner in south-west France, and a step up in tannic intensity.
Expect: Much more tannic and less fruit-forward. Needs food.
Montefalco Sagrantino
Montefalco Sagrantino scores closest to Malbec across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and drier.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Cahors
Both are made from malbec, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Saperavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
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.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less oaky.
Primitivo
curatedA similarly ripe, generous, dark-fruited red at consistently accessible prices.
Expect: Riper and jammier, with higher alcohol and softer acidity.
Toro
Toro scores closest to Malbec across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more oaky.
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.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Sparkling Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less tannic and softer.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Malbec across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
English sparkling rosé
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and drier.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more oaky.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less oaky.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
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.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less tannic and softer.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Corvinone
Corvinone scores closest to Malbec across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
California Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Malbec across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Malbec across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
Pinotage
Pinotage scores closest to Malbec across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
Barossa Shiraz
Barossa Shiraz scores closest to Malbec across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Malbec across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.
Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo scores closest to Malbec across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.
Barolo
Barolo scores closest to Malbec across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more oaky.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less oaky.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less tannic and softer.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less oaky.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more tannic and structured.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Malbec across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.
Uco Valley Malbec
Both are made from malbec, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more tannic and structured.
Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo scores closest to Malbec across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less oaky.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Cahors
Both are made from malbec, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Carignan
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Dão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Primitivo
curatedA similarly ripe, generous, dark-fruited red at consistently accessible prices.
Expect: Riper and jammier, with higher alcohol and softer acidity.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
California Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Malbec across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more neutral and subtle.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and drier.
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.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
Cahors
Both are made from malbec, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Uco Valley Malbec
Both are made from malbec, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Red Bordeaux
Both are made from malbec.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Argentine Malbec
Both are made from malbec, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Uco Valley Malbec
Both are made from malbec, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Cahors
Both are made from malbec, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
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.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo scores closest to Malbec across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Cabernet Sauvignon
curatedA comparable weight of wine with more structure and a longer ageing curve.
Expect: Firmer, more tannic and less immediately soft, with blackcurrant and cedar rather than violet and plum.
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Malbec across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more oaky.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less oaky.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
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.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more oaky.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less oaky.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and drier.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Châteauneuf-du-Pape scores closest to Malbec across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Priorat
Priorat scores closest to Malbec across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
Ribera del Duero
Ribera del Duero scores closest to Malbec across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
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.