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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.

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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.

I like…

The tropical fruit How full and weighty it is The creamy, rounded texture That it is not oaky How aromatic it is

But it’s a bit…

too tropical or sweet-smelling too heavy too buttery or thick too plain or too simple too perfumed too sweet

Clear all

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 creamy, rounded mouthfeel, while moving away from too buttery or thick.

You said you like the creamy, rounded mouthfeel and that it is too buttery or thick. Both are about texture, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
You said you like the creamy, rounded mouthfeel 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.

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 creamy, rounded mouthfeel, though less of it.
Substantially less buttery or thick.

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

curated

A useful anchor for a grapey, aromatic white made across the sweetness range.

Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Has some of the creamy, rounded mouthfeel, though less of it.
A little less buttery or thick.

Bical

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 creamy, rounded mouthfeel, though less of it.
Substantially less buttery or thick.

Albana

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

Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Has some of the creamy, rounded mouthfeel, though less of it.
Substantially less buttery or thick.

Grillo

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

Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Has some of the creamy, rounded mouthfeel, though less of it.
Substantially less buttery or thick.

Malvazija Istarska

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

Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Has some of the creamy, rounded mouthfeel, though less of it.
Substantially less buttery or thick.

Kerner

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

Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Has some of the creamy, rounded mouthfeel, though less of it.
Substantially less buttery or thick.

Scheurebe

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

Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Has some of the creamy, rounded mouthfeel, though less of it.
Substantially less buttery or thick.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.

Avesso

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

curated

A 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.

Bical

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Albana

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.

Avesso

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Bical

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Albana

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

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

Grillo

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

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.

Albana

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

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

Avesso

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

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

Bical

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

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

Catarratto

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

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

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.

Bical

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Koshu

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.

Moschofilero

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.

Parellada

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.

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 rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.

Condrieu

Condrieu scores closest to Malvasia across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.

Viognier

Viognier scores closest to Malvasia across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.

Vidal

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.

Similar but less tannic

For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.

Vidal

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter in alcohol.

Hárslevelű

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more floral.

Grechetto

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.

Wachau Grüner Veltliner

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and drier.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Mtsvane Kakhuri

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more floral.

Kisi

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and drier.

Rkatsiteli

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.

Tinto Cão

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

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

Similar but fresher

Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.

Albana

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

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

Bical

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Catarratto

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Doña Blanca

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Similar but softer

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

Muscat of Alexandria

Muscat of Alexandria scores closest to Malvasia across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Grenache Blanc

Grenache Blanc scores closest to Malvasia across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Gewürztraminer

Gewürztraminer 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 rounder and creamier in texture.

The sparkling version

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

Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore

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

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fresher.

Prosecco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and softer and rounder.

Asti

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and softer and rounder.

Glera

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and softer and rounder.

Similar but drier

Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.

Avesso

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Bical

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Catarratto

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Doña Blanca

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Similar but sweeter

Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.

Moscato d’Asti

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

Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and lighter.

Bual

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher and more acidic.

Auslese

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.

Asti

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and softer and rounder.

Change the flavour

Same shape, different aromatic character.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier 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 more oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Encruzado

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Pfalz Riesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Godello

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Similar but more aromatic

More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.

Scheurebe

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

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter.

Torrontés

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more floral.

Moschofilero

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

curated

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

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and lighter.

Similar but more restrained

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

Trebbiano Toscano

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

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

Seyval Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

Avesso

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Bical

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Similar but more floral

Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.

Moschofilero

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

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter.

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

curated

A 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.

Scheurebe

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

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter.

Torrontés

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

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and drier.

Similar but more savoury

Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.

Sercial

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.

Catarratto

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Tsolikouri

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Trebbiano Abruzzese

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Similar but fruitier

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

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

curated

A 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.

Spätlese

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more floral.

Petit Manseng

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.

Muscat of Alexandria

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.

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.

Friuli white

Both are made from malvasia.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.

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 rounder and creamier in texture.

Friuli white

Both are made from malvasia, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, 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.

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 rounder and creamier in texture.

Friuli white

Both are made from malvasia.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.

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.

Pinot Grigio

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

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and lighter.

Riesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and fresher and more acidic.

Vinho Verde

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and fresher and more acidic.

Australian Riesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and fresher and more acidic.

Something more adventurous

Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.

Avesso

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Bical

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Albana

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

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

Grillo

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

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.

Avesso

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Bical

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Albana

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

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

Grillo

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

A step up

The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.

Australian Riesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and fresher and more acidic.

Mosel Riesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and fresher and more acidic.

Santorini Assyrtiko

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Grüner Veltliner

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.