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 that the fruit is not covered in oak, while moving away from too savoury or funky, too austere, too earthy or musty and too drying or too tannic.
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.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Corvinone
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Dornfelder
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Rondo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of that the fruit is not covered in oak, though less of it.
- A little less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Rondinella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- A little less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more savoury.
Corvinone
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and drier.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more savoury.
Corvinone
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, 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.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Dornfelder
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and drier.
Rondo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and drier.
Rondinella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, 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.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Dornfelder
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and drier.
Rondo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and drier.
Grolleau
Grolleau 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 fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Primitivo
Primitivo scores closest to Broad-leaved Melnik across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Argentine Malbec
Argentine Malbec scores closest to Broad-leaved Melnik across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Primitivo di Manduria
Primitivo di Manduria scores closest to Broad-leaved Melnik across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Touriga Nacional
Touriga Nacional scores closest to Broad-leaved Melnik across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and drier.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Touriga Nacional
Touriga Nacional scores closest to Broad-leaved Melnik across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
Sagrantino
Sagrantino scores closest to Broad-leaved Melnik across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
Montefalco Sagrantino
Montefalco Sagrantino scores closest to Broad-leaved Melnik across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
Toro
Toro scores closest to Broad-leaved Melnik across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and drier.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Loire Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Areni
Areni scores closest to Broad-leaved Melnik across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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 oaky.
Refosco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Primitivo
Primitivo scores closest to Broad-leaved Melnik across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Southern Rhône blend
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.
Sparkling Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and drier.
Asti
Asti scores closest to Broad-leaved Melnik across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more savoury.
Sparkling Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Zinfandel
Zinfandel scores closest to Broad-leaved Melnik across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Primitivo
Primitivo scores closest to Broad-leaved Melnik across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Southern Rhône blend
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Gamay
Gamay scores closest to Broad-leaved Melnik across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Muscat Bailey A
Muscat Bailey A scores closest to Broad-leaved Melnik across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and drier.
Morgon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
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.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more savoury.
Corvinone
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and drier.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Dornfelder
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and drier.
Gamay
Gamay scores closest to Broad-leaved Melnik across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Jaen
Jaen scores closest to Broad-leaved Melnik across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
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 more oaky.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
País
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
California Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
California Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Broad-leaved Melnik across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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.
Zinfandel
Zinfandel scores closest to Broad-leaved Melnik across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Primitivo
Primitivo scores closest to Broad-leaved Melnik across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Southern Rhône blend
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Cru Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more savoury.
Corvinone
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, 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.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more savoury.
Corvinone
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and drier.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Amarone della Valpolicella scores closest to Broad-leaved Melnik across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, 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 oaky.
Ribera del Duero
Ribera del Duero scores closest to Broad-leaved Melnik across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
Primitivo
Primitivo scores closest to Broad-leaved Melnik across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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.