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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.

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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.

I like…

The firm, grippy structure How aromatic it is

But it’s a bit…

too drying or too tannic too oaky or woody too floral or soapy too perfumed too peppery too austere

Clear all

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, while moving away from too peppery, too oaky or woody and too drying or too tannic.

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.

Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Cabernet Franc

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Gamay

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Muscat Bailey A

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Bonarda

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Montepulciano

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.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Cru Beaujolais

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.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

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.

Gamay

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, 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.

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.

Gamay

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, 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 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

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.

Muscat Bailey A

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.

Cru Beaujolais

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, 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

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, 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.

English still Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less tannic and softer.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

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 more oaky.

Primitivo

curated

A similarly ripe, generous, dark-fruited red at consistently accessible prices.

Expect: Riper and jammier, with higher alcohol and softer acidity.

Alicante Bouschet

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 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.

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.

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.

Montepulciano

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.

Gamay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Tannat

curated

Malbec’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.

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

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.

Morgon

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.

Muscat Bailey A

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.

Similar but softer

Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.

Marsanne

Marsanne scores closest to Malbec across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more neutral and subtle.

Pedro Ximénez

Pedro Ximénez scores closest to Malbec across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less oaky.

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.

Montepulciano

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less spicy.

The sparkling version

Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.

Lambrusco

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.

Sparkling Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more oaky.

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.

Muscat Bailey A

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.

Tinta Barroca

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.

Tinta Negra

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.

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

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.

Muscat Bailey A

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.

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 more neutral and subtle.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Malbec across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more tannic and structured.

Barossa Shiraz

Barossa Shiraz scores closest to Malbec across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more tannic and structured.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Malbec across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more tannic and structured.

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.

Torrontés

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more aromatic.

Similar but more restrained

For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.

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.

Chilean Pinot Noir

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 oaky.

Frappato

Frappato scores closest to Malbec across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less oaky.

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.

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.

Muscat Bailey A

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.

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.

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.

Chianti

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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.

Pinot Noir

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.

Areni

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and spicier.

Similar but fruitier

More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.

Primitivo

curated

A 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 oaky, and more neutral and subtle.

Barbera d’Alba

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more oaky.

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 more oaky.

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.

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.

Red Bordeaux

Both are made from malbec.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more neutral and subtle.

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 more tannic and structured, and more neutral and subtle.

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.

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 more oaky.

Same grape, warmer climate

Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.

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 more oaky.

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, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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.

Gamay

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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.

Cru Beaujolais

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.

Muscat Bailey A

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.

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.

Montepulciano

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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.

Muscat Bailey A

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.

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.

Montepulciano

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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 more oaky.

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.

Ribera del Duero

Ribera del Duero scores closest to Malbec across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more tannic and structured.

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.

How these are chosen

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.