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.
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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.
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, while moving away from too sweet.
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.
Maria Gomes
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.
- Substantially less sweet.
Verdelho
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.
- Substantially less sweet.
Solaris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less sweet.
Sercial
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.
- Substantially less sweet.
Grechetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less sweet.
Kerner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less sweet.
Gros Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less sweet.
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.
- Substantially less sweet.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
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 floral, and lighter.
Verdelho
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 lighter.
Solaris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more floral.
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.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
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 floral, and lighter.
Verdelho
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 lighter.
Solaris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more floral.
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.
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.
Altesse
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Arinto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Arneis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more floral.
Athiri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more floral.
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.
Colombard
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Graševina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more neutral and subtle.
Grechetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more neutral and subtle.
Kabinett
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Condrieu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more floral.
Viognier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more floral.
Pedro Ximénez
Pedro Ximénez scores closest to Malvasia across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more neutral and subtle.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Châteauneuf-du-Pape scores closest to Malvasia across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Grechetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more neutral and subtle.
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 more neutral and subtle.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more floral.
Auxerrois
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
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 drier, and more savoury.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more floral.
Rkatsiteli
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Bobal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Alsace Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more floral.
Altesse
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Arinto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Australian Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
Grenache Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Condrieu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more floral.
Viognier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more floral.
Marsanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
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.
Glera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more floral.
Prosecco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more floral.
Franciacorta
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more sparkling.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Alsace Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more floral.
Graševina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more neutral and subtle.
Grechetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more neutral and subtle.
Gros Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
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 fresher and more acidic.
Moscato d’Asti
Moscato d’Asti scores closest to Malvasia across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more sparkling.
Asti
Asti scores closest to Malvasia across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more sparkling.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Marsanne
Marsanne scores closest to Malvasia across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more floral.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more floral.
Douro white
Both are made from malvasia, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Torrontés
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more floral.
Moschofilero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Mantinia Moschofilero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Condrieu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more floral.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Seyval Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Verdelho
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 lighter.
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.
Grechetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Moschofilero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more floral.
Torrontés
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more floral.
Mantinia Moschofilero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more floral.
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 floral, and lighter.
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.
Grechetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more neutral and subtle.
Friulano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Greco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more floral.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more floral.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more floral.
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.
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.
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.
Vinho Verde
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
Glera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and lighter.
Pinot Grigio
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Australian Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
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 floral, and lighter.
Verdelho
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 lighter.
Solaris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more floral.
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.
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.
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 floral, and lighter.
Verdelho
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 lighter.
Solaris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more floral.
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.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Châteauneuf-du-Pape scores closest to Malvasia across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Australian Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Santorini Assyrtiko
Santorini Assyrtiko scores closest to Malvasia across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Vinho Verde
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
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.