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 drying or too tannic and too peppery.
- You said you like the firm tannic structure and that it is too drying or too tannic. Both are about tannin, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
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.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less peppery.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less peppery.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- 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 drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less peppery.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of the firm tannic structure.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less peppery.
Bonarda
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- 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 drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less peppery.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- 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 drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less peppery.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- 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 drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less peppery.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
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 drying or too tannic.
- 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.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more herbal and green.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more herbal and green.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
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.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more herbal and green.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and earthier.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
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.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more herbal and green.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and earthier.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Argentine Malbec
Both are made from malbec, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and spicier.
Primitivo
curatedA similarly ripe, generous, dark-fruited red at consistently accessible prices.
Expect: Riper and jammier, with higher alcohol and softer acidity.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more neutral and subtle.
Barossa Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, 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.
Argentine Malbec
Both are made from malbec, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and spicier.
Bonarda
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
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 structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
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.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Malbec across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more aromatic.
Toro
Toro scores closest to Malbec across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more neutral and subtle.
Madiran
Madiran scores closest to Malbec across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more herbal and green.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Oregon Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
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.
Argentine Malbec
Both are made from malbec, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and spicier.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fresher and more acidic.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Primitivo
curatedA similarly ripe, generous, dark-fruited red at consistently accessible prices.
Expect: Riper and jammier, with higher alcohol and softer acidity.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Sparkling Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and spicier.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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 spicy.
English sparkling rosé
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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 spicy.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
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.
Négrette
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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 more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Canaiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Jaen
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
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 more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more neutral and subtle.
Barossa Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more neutral and subtle.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
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 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 more tannic and structured, and more aromatic.
Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo scores closest to Malbec across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more aromatic.
Barolo
Barolo scores closest to Malbec across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more aromatic.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more herbal and green.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
Bonarda
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Montepulciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Négrette
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Uco Valley Malbec
Both are made from malbec, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more tannic and structured.
Frappato
Frappato scores closest to Malbec across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less tannic and softer.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Malbec across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more aromatic.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less floral.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
Bonarda
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
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 savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and earthier.
Chianti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Cahors
Both are made from malbec, and 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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Argentine Malbec
Both are made from malbec, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and spicier.
Barbera d’Alba
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more neutral and subtle.
Cahors
Both are made from malbec.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more neutral and subtle.
Red Bordeaux
Both are made from malbec.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more neutral and subtle.
Argentine Malbec
Both are made from malbec, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and spicier.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Argentine Malbec
Both are made from malbec, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and spicier.
Uco Valley Malbec
Both are made from malbec, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more neutral and subtle.
Cahors
Both are made from malbec.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, 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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more herbal and green.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
Bonarda
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
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.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.
Bonarda
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Argentine Malbec
Both are made from malbec, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and spicier.
Ribera del Duero
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
Amarone della Valpolicella scores closest to Malbec across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more tannic and structured.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Châteauneuf-du-Pape scores closest to Malbec across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, 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.