If you like this, try…
Wines like Broad-leaved Melnik
A Struma Valley red found essentially nowhere else, tannic and slow to come round. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Broad-leaved Melnik?
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 firm, grippy structure
- High tannin — the drying grip on your gums, like over-brewed tea. It gives a red something to hold on to with rich food, and it is what lets a wine age.
- That it is not oaky
- No barrel character — just the fruit and the acidity. Chablis and Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc are the reference points.
- The spice
- Black pepper, clove, cinnamon. Some of it is the grape — the pepper in Syrah is a measured compound called rotundone — and some is the barrel.
- The earthy, mineral side
- Forest floor, wet stone, mushroom, damp earth. Widely described and much less well explained than wine writing implies — the sensation is real, the causal story usually is not.
- The savoury, meaty side
- Leather, olive, cured meat, dried herbs, tobacco. It is what people mean by calling a wine "serious" rather than "fruity", and it comes with age as well as with place.
- That it is properly dry
- No perceptible sugar at all. Almost all red wine is dry and a good deal of white wine is not, which is why this is a more useful thing to say about a white than about a red.
Looking for something keeping the savoury, non-fruity character and the earthy, savoury-mineral character, while moving away from too austere and too savoury or funky.
- You said you like the savoury, non-fruity character and that it is too savoury or funky. Both are about savoury character, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
- You said you like the savoury, non-fruity character and that it is too savoury or funky. Both are about fruit 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.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Has some of the earthy, savoury-mineral character, though less of it.
- Substantially less austere.
- About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Has some of the earthy, savoury-mineral character, though less of it.
- Substantially less austere.
- A little less savoury or funky.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Has noticeably less of the earthy, savoury-mineral character.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Saperavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Has some of the earthy, savoury-mineral character, though less of it.
- Substantially less austere.
- About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
Montefalco Sagrantino
Montefalco Sagrantino scores closest to Broad-leaved Melnik across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Has some of the earthy, savoury-mineral character, though less of it.
- Substantially less austere.
- About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
California Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Has some of the earthy, savoury-mineral character, though less of it.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Melnik
Both are made from broad-leaved melnik, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Keeps the earthy, savoury-mineral character.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
- About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
Tinta Barroca
Tinta Barroca scores closest to Broad-leaved Melnik across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
- Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Has noticeably less of the earthy, savoury-mineral character.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more floral.
Saperavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more floral.
Saperavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Broad-leaved Melnik across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Cru Beaujolais
Cru Beaujolais scores closest to Broad-leaved Melnik across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Loire Cabernet Franc
Loire Cabernet Franc scores closest to Broad-leaved Melnik across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
País
País scores closest to Broad-leaved Melnik across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Broad-leaved Melnik across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Cru Beaujolais
Cru Beaujolais scores closest to Broad-leaved Melnik across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Loire Cabernet Franc
Loire Cabernet Franc scores closest to Broad-leaved Melnik across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
English still Pinot Noir
English still Pinot Noir scores closest to Broad-leaved Melnik across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more floral.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Châteauneuf-du-Pape scores closest to Broad-leaved Melnik across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Douro red
Douro red scores closest to Broad-leaved Melnik across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
California Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Southern Rhône blend
Southern Rhône blend scores closest to Broad-leaved Melnik across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Valpolicella Ripasso
Valpolicella Ripasso scores closest to Broad-leaved Melnik across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and drier.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more floral.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Mavrud
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Saperavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Blaufränkisch
Blaufränkisch scores closest to Broad-leaved Melnik across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Loire Cabernet Franc
Loire Cabernet Franc scores closest to Broad-leaved Melnik across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Oregon Pinot Noir
Oregon Pinot Noir scores closest to Broad-leaved Melnik across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Châteauneuf-du-Pape scores closest to Broad-leaved Melnik across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Southern Rhône blend
Southern Rhône blend scores closest to Broad-leaved Melnik across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Jumilla Monastrell
Jumilla Monastrell scores closest to Broad-leaved Melnik across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Sparkling Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Broad-leaved Melnik across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Broad-leaved Melnik across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and drier.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and stiller.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more floral.
Sparkling Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more floral.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
California Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo scores closest to Broad-leaved Melnik across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Broad-leaved Melnik across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Syrah
Syrah scores closest to Broad-leaved Melnik across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir scores closest to Broad-leaved Melnik across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
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.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Saperavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Montefalco Sagrantino
Montefalco Sagrantino scores closest to Broad-leaved Melnik across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more floral.
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir scores closest to Broad-leaved Melnik across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc scores closest to Broad-leaved Melnik across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Touriga Franca
Touriga Franca scores closest to Broad-leaved Melnik across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Xinomavro
curatedA comparably tannic, savoury Balkan red that needs years and develops dried-fruit character.
Expect: Xinomavro is higher in acid and paler.
Rioja Gran Reserva
Rioja Gran Reserva scores closest to Broad-leaved Melnik across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and drier.
Taurasi
Taurasi scores closest to Broad-leaved Melnik across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and drier.
Chianti Classico Riserva
Chianti Classico Riserva scores closest to Broad-leaved Melnik across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and drier.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more floral.
California Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Zinfandel
Zinfandel scores closest to Broad-leaved Melnik across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and drier.
Primitivo
Primitivo scores closest to Broad-leaved Melnik across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and drier.
Change the place
Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower 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.
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.
California Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Châteauneuf-du-Pape scores closest to Broad-leaved Melnik across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Southern Rhône blend
Southern Rhône blend scores closest to Broad-leaved Melnik across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Priorat
Priorat scores closest to Broad-leaved Melnik across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more floral.
Saperavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more floral.
Saperavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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 Broad-leaved Melnik across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Priorat
Priorat scores closest to Broad-leaved Melnik across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Amarone della Valpolicella scores closest to Broad-leaved Melnik across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and drier.
Ribera del Duero
Ribera del Duero scores closest to Broad-leaved Melnik across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
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.