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 the firm tannic structure and how much it smells of, before you even taste it, while moving away from too austere.
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.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Substantially less austere.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Substantially less austere.
Syrah
curatedBoth are full-bodied, dark-fruited and generous in texture — the natural next step for a Malbec drinker.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Substantially less austere.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Substantially less austere.
Cabernet Sauvignon
curatedA comparable weight of wine with more structure and a longer ageing curve.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Substantially less austere.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Substantially less austere.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less oaky.
Syrah
curatedBoth are full-bodied, dark-fruited and generous in texture — the natural next step for a Malbec drinker.
Expect: More black pepper, olive and savoury meatiness, and firmer structure — especially from the northern Rhône.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, 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.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less oaky.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, 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.
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 more neutral and subtle, and less tannic and softer.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less oaky.
Dornfelder
Dornfelder scores closest to Malbec across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Rondinella
Rondinella scores closest to Malbec across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
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 more neutral and subtle, and less tannic and softer.
Dornfelder
Dornfelder scores closest to Malbec across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Muscat Bailey A
Muscat Bailey A scores closest to Malbec across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and drier.
Rondo
Rondo scores closest to Malbec across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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 tannic and structured, and more neutral and subtle.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
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 more neutral and subtle.
Primitivo
curatedA similarly ripe, generous, dark-fruited red at consistently accessible prices.
Expect: Riper and jammier, with higher alcohol and softer acidity.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and drier.
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.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, 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.
Montefalco Sagrantino
Montefalco Sagrantino scores closest to Malbec across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and drier.
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.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less oaky.
Saperavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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 less spicy.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less tannic and softer.
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.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Primitivo
curatedA similarly ripe, generous, dark-fruited red at consistently accessible prices.
Expect: Riper and jammier, with higher alcohol and softer acidity.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more neutral and subtle.
Syrah
curatedBoth are full-bodied, dark-fruited and generous in texture — the natural next step for a Malbec drinker.
Expect: More black pepper, olive and savoury meatiness, and firmer structure — especially from the northern Rhône.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Sparkling Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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 tannic and softer.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Malbec across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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 stiller.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more neutral and subtle.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less oaky.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, 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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more neutral and subtle.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less tannic and softer.
Corvinone
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Barossa Shiraz
Barossa Shiraz scores closest to Malbec across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Malbec across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
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.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Malbec across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
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.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more tannic and structured.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and drier.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
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.
Barolo
Barolo scores closest to Malbec across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco 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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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 tannic and structured, and more neutral and subtle.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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 more neutral and subtle.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Syrah
curatedBoth are full-bodied, dark-fruited and generous in texture — the natural next step for a Malbec drinker.
Expect: More black pepper, olive and savoury meatiness, and firmer structure — especially from the northern Rhône.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, 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.
Red Bordeaux
Both are made from malbec.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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 tannic and structured, and more neutral and subtle.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
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.
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.
Cahors
Both are made from malbec.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
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.
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.
Red Bordeaux
Both are made from malbec.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Cahors
Both are made from malbec.
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.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Syrah
curatedBoth are full-bodied, dark-fruited and generous in texture — the natural next step for a Malbec drinker.
Expect: More black pepper, olive and savoury meatiness, and firmer structure — especially from the northern Rhône.
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.
Primitivo
curatedA similarly ripe, generous, dark-fruited red at consistently accessible prices.
Expect: Riper and jammier, with higher alcohol and softer acidity.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less oaky.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, 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.
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.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less oaky.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, 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.
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 drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Ribera del Duero
Ribera del Duero scores closest to Malbec across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Châteauneuf-du-Pape scores closest to Malbec across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Priorat
Priorat scores closest to Malbec across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
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.