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 that the fruit is not covered in oak and the tropical, exotic fruit, while moving away from too perfumed.
- 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.
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.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Kisi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Auxerrois
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Treixadura
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Arneis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Clairette
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Pedro Ximénez
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Keeps the tropical, exotic fruit.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
Kisi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
Auxerrois
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and drier.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
Kisi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
Auxerrois
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, 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.
Auxerrois
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and drier.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
Müller-Thurgau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and lighter.
Treixadura
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and drier.
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.
Parellada
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher and more acidic.
Bical
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher and more acidic.
Glera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more sparkling.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Pedro Ximénez
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and softer and rounder.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Malvasia across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more oaky.
Viognier
Viognier scores closest to Malvasia across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more oaky.
Recioto della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier.
Pedro Ximénez
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and softer and rounder.
Auxerrois
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and drier.
Bual
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more savoury.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Kisi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
Rkatsiteli
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more restrained in fruit.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fresher and more acidic.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Chosen because you asked for something more structured.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Bical
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more restrained in fruit.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more restrained in fruit.
Grechetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more restrained in fruit.
Welschriesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Pedro Ximénez
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fruitier.
Marsanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and softer and rounder.
Grenache Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more restrained in fruit.
Muscat of Alexandria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and softer and rounder.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Glera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and lighter.
Prosecco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter.
Franciacorta
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
Méthode Cap Classique
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Arneis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and drier.
Auxerrois
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and drier.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Pedro Ximénez
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and softer and rounder.
Bual
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more savoury.
Recioto della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
Pedro Ximénez sherry
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Marsanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
Godello
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
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 more oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
curatedMuscat Blanc à Petits Grains scores closest to Malvasia across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Scheurebe
Scheurebe scores closest to Malvasia across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fresher and more acidic.
Torrontés
Torrontés scores closest to Malvasia across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fresher and more acidic.
Muscat of Alexandria
Muscat of Alexandria scores closest to Malvasia across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
Kisi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
Pedro Ximénez
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and softer and rounder.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Maria Gomes
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and drier.
Solaris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter.
Muscadelle
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Kisi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
Friulano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher and more acidic.
Savatiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and drier.
Grenache Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and softer and rounder.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Petit Manseng
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher and more acidic.
Spätlese
Spätlese scores closest to Malvasia across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher and more acidic.
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.
Muscat of Alexandria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
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.
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 more oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
Friuli white
Both are made from malvasia, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
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.
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 more oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
Friuli white
Both are made from malvasia, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
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.
Glera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more sparkling.
Pinot Grigio
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more neutral and subtle.
Vinho Verde
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more restrained in fruit.
Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
Kisi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
Auxerrois
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and drier.
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.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Avesso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
Kisi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
Auxerrois
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and drier.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
Priorat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, 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.