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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.
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 how much it smells of, before you even taste it and the creamy, rounded mouthfeel, while moving away from too sweet and too tropical or sweet-smelling.
- You said you like how much it smells of, before you even taste it and that it is too tropical or sweet-smelling. 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 creamy, rounded mouthfeel and that it is too tropical or sweet-smelling. 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.
Douro white
Both are made from malvasia, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- Substantially less sweet.
- Substantially less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Friuli white
Both are made from malvasia, and 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.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- Substantially less sweet.
- Substantially less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Grechetto
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.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- Substantially less sweet.
- Substantially less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Auxerrois
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.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- Substantially less sweet.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Encruzado
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.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- Substantially less sweet.
- Substantially less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Pinot Gris
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.
- Has some of the creamy, rounded mouthfeel, though less of it.
- Substantially less sweet.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Vermentino
curatedA comparable Mediterranean white with body, moderate acidity and a faintly bitter finish.
- Has some of how much it smells of, before you even taste it, though less of it.
- Has some of the creamy, rounded mouthfeel, though less of it.
- Substantially less sweet.
- Substantially less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Chardonnay
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.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- Substantially less sweet.
- Substantially less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
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 drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Friuli white
Both are made from malvasia, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Grechetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.
Auxerrois
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
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.
Grechetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.
Auxerrois
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Encruzado
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
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.
Grechetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more savoury.
Auxerrois
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Müller-Thurgau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and lighter.
Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more oaky.
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.
Grechetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Xarel·lo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Verdicchio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Malvasia across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Viognier
Viognier scores closest to Malvasia across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Pedro Ximénez
Pedro Ximénez scores closest to Malvasia across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.
Oloroso sherry
Oloroso sherry scores closest to Malvasia across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and drier.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
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 drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Marsanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Grechetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Rkatsiteli
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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 drier, and fruitier.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
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 drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Friuli white
Both are made from malvasia, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Grechetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.
Encruzado
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Marsanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
Grenache Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Malvasia across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Viognier
Viognier scores closest to Malvasia across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Corpinnat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more sparkling.
Cava
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and fresher and more acidic.
Franciacorta
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher and more acidic.
Méthode Cap Classique
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
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 drier, 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 drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Auxerrois
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Grechetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Vin Santo
Both are made from malvasia.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more aromatic.
Bual
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fresher and more acidic.
Auslese
Auslese scores closest to Malvasia across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more aromatic.
Recioto della Valpolicella
Recioto della Valpolicella scores closest to Malvasia across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Friuli white
Both are made from malvasia, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Torrontés
Torrontés scores closest to Malvasia across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and drier.
Moschofilero
Moschofilero scores closest to Malvasia across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and drier.
Vin Jaune
Vin Jaune scores closest to Malvasia across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fresher and more acidic.
Condrieu
Condrieu 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.
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 drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Friuli white
Both are made from malvasia, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Auxerrois
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Grechetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.
Malagousia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.
Müller-Thurgau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and lighter.
Maria Gomes
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and leaner and more cutting.
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 drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Savennières
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
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 drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Friulano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Malvasia across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Viognier
Viognier scores closest to Malvasia across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Petit Manseng
Petit Manseng scores closest to Malvasia across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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 fruitier, and more aromatic.
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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Friuli white
Both are made from malvasia, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Friuli white
Both are made from malvasia, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
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 Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more oaky.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
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 drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Friuli white
Both are made from malvasia, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Grechetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.
Auxerrois
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.
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 drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Friuli white
Both are made from malvasia, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Grechetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.
Auxerrois
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.
Super Tuscan
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Ribera del Duero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Priorat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
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.