If you like this, try…
Wines like Malvasia
A large family of related varieties spread across the Mediterranean, and the sweetest Madeira style (Malmsey). Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Malvasia?
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 tropical fruit
- Passionfruit, mango, pineapple, guava. It comes from riper fruit and warmer sites, and it is the difference between Marlborough and Sancerre in the same grape.
- 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.
- The creamy, rounded texture
- A soft, almost dairy-like roundness. In white wine it usually comes from malolactic fermentation or from time on the lees, not from the grape.
- That it is not oaky
- No barrel character — just the fruit and the acidity. Chablis and Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc are the reference points.
- 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 touch of sweetness
- Actual sugar left in the wine, which is a different thing from tasting fruity. A wine can smell of ripe peach and be completely dry.
Looking for something keeping the tropical, exotic fruit, while moving away from too perfumed, too buttery or thick and too plain or too simple.
- You said you like the tropical, exotic fruit and that it is too perfumed. Both are about aromatic intensity, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
- You said you like the tropical, exotic fruit and that it is too buttery or thick. Both are about acidity, 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.
Vermentino
curatedA comparable Mediterranean white with body, moderate acidity and a faintly bitter finish.
- Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Chilean Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
New Zealand Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Friuli white
Both are made from malvasia, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- A little less buttery or thick.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- A little less buttery or thick.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Dry Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- A little less buttery or thick.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Vermentino
curatedA comparable Mediterranean white with body, moderate acidity and a faintly bitter finish.
Expect: Vermentino is more citric and saline; Malvasia is more floral and apricot-scented.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and drier.
Chilean Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and drier.
New Zealand Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and drier.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Vermentino
curatedA comparable Mediterranean white with body, moderate acidity and a faintly bitter finish.
Expect: Vermentino is more citric and saline; Malvasia is more floral and apricot-scented.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and drier.
Chilean Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and drier.
New Zealand Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, 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.
Vermentino
curatedA comparable Mediterranean white with body, moderate acidity and a faintly bitter finish.
Expect: Vermentino is more citric and saline; Malvasia is more floral and apricot-scented.
Montlouis-sur-Loire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
Istrian Malvazija
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
Garganega
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
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.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher and more acidic.
Dry Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher and more acidic.
Vermentino
curatedA comparable Mediterranean white with body, moderate acidity and a faintly bitter finish.
Expect: Vermentino is more citric and saline; Malvasia is more floral and apricot-scented.
Montlouis-sur-Loire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Pedro Ximénez
Pedro Ximénez scores closest to Malvasia across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Malvasia across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more aromatic.
Viognier
Viognier scores closest to Malvasia across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more aromatic.
Vin Santo
Both are made from malvasia, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more aromatic.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and drier.
Chilean Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and drier.
New Zealand Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and drier.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Kisi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Rkatsiteli
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and earthier.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and drier.
Chilean Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and drier.
New Zealand Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and drier.
Friuli white
Both are made from malvasia, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Marsanne
Marsanne scores closest to Malvasia across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Pedro Ximénez
Pedro Ximénez scores closest to Malvasia across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less oaky.
Grenache Blanc
Grenache Blanc scores closest to Malvasia across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less oaky.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Malvasia across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Austrian Sekt
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
Cava
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
Crémant
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
English sparkling wine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and drier.
Chilean Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and drier.
New Zealand Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and drier.
Friuli white
Both are made from malvasia, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Recioto della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less oaky.
Vin Santo
Both are made from malvasia, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more aromatic.
Pedro Ximénez sherry
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
Coteaux du Layon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and drier.
Chilean Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and drier.
New Zealand Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and drier.
Friuli white
Both are made from malvasia, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc scores closest to Malvasia across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less oaky.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc scores closest to Malvasia across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less oaky.
Scheurebe
Scheurebe scores closest to Malvasia across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less oaky.
Torrontés
Torrontés scores closest to Malvasia across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less oaky.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and drier.
Chilean Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and drier.
New Zealand Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and drier.
Friuli white
Both are made from malvasia, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Montlouis-sur-Loire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
English Bacchus
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less oaky.
Garganega
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
Bacchus
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less oaky.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Friuli white
Both are made from malvasia, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and rounder and creamier in texture.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and drier.
Franken Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Spätlese
Spätlese scores closest to Malvasia across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc scores closest to Malvasia across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Petit Manseng
Petit Manseng scores closest to Malvasia across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
curatedA useful anchor for a grapey, aromatic white made across the sweetness range.
Expect: Malvasia is a family rather than a variety, so the style varies enormously; it is generally less overtly grapey than Muscat.
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.
Friuli white
Both are made from malvasia, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more restrained in fruit.
Douro white
Both are made from malvasia, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Madeira
Both are made from malvasia, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and rounder and creamier in texture.
White Port
Both are made from malvasia, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
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.
Friuli white
Both are made from malvasia, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Douro white
Both are made from malvasia, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
White Port
Both are made from malvasia, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
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.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and drier.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher and more acidic.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and rounder and creamier in texture.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more restrained in fruit.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Chilean Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and drier.
New Zealand Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and drier.
Friuli white
Both are made from malvasia, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more restrained in fruit.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher and more acidic.
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.
Chilean Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and drier.
New Zealand Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and drier.
Friuli white
Both are made from malvasia, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more restrained in fruit.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher and more acidic.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Super Tuscan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Priorat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and drier.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.
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.