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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.

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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.

I like…

The firm, grippy structure That it is not oaky The earthy, mineral side The savoury, meaty side

But it’s a bit…

too drying or too tannic too plain or too simple too peppery too earthy or musty too savoury or funky too austere

Clear all

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 firm tannic structure, while moving away from too savoury or funky, too earthy or musty and too plain or too simple.

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.

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
A little less savoury or funky.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

Uco Valley Malbec

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

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
A little less savoury or funky.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

Blaufränkisch

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

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
A little less savoury or funky.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

California Pinot Noir

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

Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

Malbec

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

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
A little less savoury or funky.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
A little less savoury or funky.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more restrained in fruit.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fuller and richer.

Uco Valley Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more floral.

Blaufränkisch

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher and more acidic.

Different grape, similar feel

Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more restrained in fruit.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fuller and richer.

Uco Valley Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more floral.

Blaufränkisch

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, 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.

Blaufränkisch

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher and more acidic.

Dolcetto

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less oaky.

Cru Beaujolais

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less tannic and softer.

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less tannic and softer.

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.

Cru Beaujolais

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less tannic and softer.

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less tannic and softer.

Loire Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less tannic and softer.

Dolcetto

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less oaky.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fresher.

Primitivo di Manduria

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.

Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more oaky.

Similar but less tannic

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

California Pinot Noir

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

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

Argentine Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

California Rhône blend

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Zinfandel

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

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Toro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Petite Sirah

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Petit Verdot

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Similar but fresher

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

Blaufränkisch

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and lighter.

Sangiovese

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more savoury.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more savoury.

Chianti Classico

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more savoury.

Similar but softer

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

Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more restrained in fruit.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fuller and richer.

Primitivo di Manduria

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.

Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, 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 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 less oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Broad-leaved Melnik across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Similar but sweeter

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

Port

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and sweeter.

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more tannic and structured.

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.

Primitivo di Manduria

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.

Alicante Bouschet

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.

Argentine Cabernet Franc

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more restrained in fruit.

Argentine Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less tannic and softer.

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more restrained in fruit.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more restrained in fruit.

Syrah

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more restrained in fruit.

Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less 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.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more aromatic.

Blaufränkisch

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more aromatic.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more aromatic.

California Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more aromatic.

Similar but more floral

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

Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more restrained in fruit.

Uco Valley Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more floral.

Syrah

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.

Argentine Cabernet Franc

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more restrained in fruit.

Similar but more savoury

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

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 more restrained in fruit.

Xinomavro

curated

A comparably tannic, savoury Balkan red that needs years and develops dried-fruit character.

Expect: Xinomavro is higher in acid and paler.

Northern Rhône Syrah

Northern Rhône Syrah scores closest to Broad-leaved Melnik across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and earthier.

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione scores closest to Broad-leaved Melnik across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and earthier.

Similar but fruitier

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fuller and richer.

California Pinot Noir

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

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

Primitivo di Manduria

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.

Change the place

Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.

Same grape, cooler climate

Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.

Melnik

Both are made from broad-leaved melnik, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and earthier.

Same grape, warmer climate

Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.

Melnik

Both are made from broad-leaved melnik, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.

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.

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more restrained in fruit.

California Pinot Noir

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

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

Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more restrained in fruit.

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more restrained in fruit.

Something more adventurous

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

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fuller and richer.

Uco Valley Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more floral.

Blaufränkisch

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher and more acidic.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and rounder and creamier in texture.

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.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fuller and richer.

Uco Valley Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more floral.

Blaufränkisch

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher and more acidic.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and rounder and creamier in texture.

A step up

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more savoury.

Ribera del Duero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Priorat

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more tannic and structured.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more savoury.

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.