If you like this, try…
Wines like Merlot
A plush, plum-scented Bordeaux variety that ripens earlier than Cabernet Sauvignon and produces softer, rounder wine. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Merlot?
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 rich dark fruit
- Blackberry, plum, black cherry — fruit that tastes ripe and generous rather than tart. It comes from warm-climate ripening and it is what most people mean when they call a red "fruity".
- The bright red fruit
- Raspberry, redcurrant, sour cherry — lighter and sharper than dark fruit, usually from a cooler place or an earlier picking.
- How smooth and soft it is
- Low tannin. Tannin is the drying, gum-gripping sensation in red wine — like strong tea. A smooth red has little of it.
- 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 vanilla and oak
- Vanilla, toast, coconut, sweet spice, sometimes smoke. It comes from the barrel rather than the grape, which is why the same grape can taste completely different with and without it.
- 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 moving away from too austere, too tart or sour-fruited, too jammy or sweet-tasting and too heavy.
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.
Rondinella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less austere.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- Substantially less heavy.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less austere.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- A little less heavy.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less austere.
- More tart or sour-fruited, not less.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- A little less heavy.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
- More tart or sour-fruited, not less.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- Substantially less heavy.
Carmenère
curatedCarmenère was grown in Chile for decades in the belief that it was Merlot, and shares its softness and plush texture.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- About as heavy as the wine you started from.
Grolleau
Both come from the same country.
- Substantially less austere.
- More tart or sour-fruited, not less.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- Substantially less heavy.
Portugieser
Portugieser scores closest to Merlot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
- Substantially less austere.
- More tart or sour-fruited, not less.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- Substantially less heavy.
Cabernet Sauvignon
curatedThe two are blended together across Bordeaux and share dark fruit, oak affinity and body.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
- About as jammy or sweet-tasting as the wine you started from.
- About as heavy as the wine you started from.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Rondinella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fruitier.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more fruit-driven.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Rondinella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fruitier.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more fruit-driven.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
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.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Grolleau
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Portugieser
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
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.
Grolleau
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Rondinella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Portugieser
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Amarone della Valpolicella scores closest to Merlot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Primitivo di Manduria
Primitivo di Manduria scores closest to Merlot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Priorat
Priorat scores closest to Merlot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Touriga Nacional
Touriga Nacional scores closest to Merlot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Sémillon
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 fruit-driven.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more fruit-driven.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fruitier.
Grolleau
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more fruit-driven.
Cabernet Sauvignon
curatedThe two are blended together across Bordeaux and share dark fruit, oak affinity and body.
Expect: Firmer tannin, higher acidity, blackcurrant rather than plum, and a longer wait before it drinks well.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Colorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more fruit-driven.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
Grolleau
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
Rondinella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
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.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fuller and richer.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
curatedA similarly soft, plummy, low-tannin red at consistently modest prices.
Expect: Higher acidity and a more rustic, less polished finish.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Sparkling Shiraz
Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Merlot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more fruit-driven.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Merlot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
Champagne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fruitier.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more fruit-driven.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fuller and richer.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fuller and richer.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but less oaky
One of the commonest requests in wine. Strips oak influence while holding grape character and weight.
Rondinella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fruitier.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more fruit-driven.
Grolleau
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Rioja Gran Reserva
Rioja Gran Reserva scores closest to Merlot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Merlot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo scores closest to Merlot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Sémillon
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 fruit-driven.
Rondinella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fruitier.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Canaiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Merlot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from merlot.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Zinfandel
Zinfandel scores closest to Merlot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Primitivo
Primitivo scores closest to Merlot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Touriga Nacional
Touriga Nacional scores closest to Merlot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
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.
Chianti
Both are made from merlot.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from merlot.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Chianti Classico Riserva
Both are made from merlot.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Chianti Classico
Both are made from merlot.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
Chianti
Both are made from merlot.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
Egri Bikavér
Both are made from merlot.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Red Bordeaux
Both are made from merlot, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Cahors
Both are made from merlot, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
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.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Red Burgundy
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Rondinella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fruitier.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more fruit-driven.
Carmenère
curatedCarmenère was grown in Chile for decades in the belief that it was Merlot, and shares its softness and plush texture.
Expect: More overtly herbal and peppery, with a savoury, soy-like depth Merlot lacks.
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.
Rondinella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fruitier.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more fruit-driven.
Grolleau
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Ribera del Duero
Ribera del Duero scores closest to Merlot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Amarone della Valpolicella scores closest to Merlot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Priorat
Priorat scores closest to Merlot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, 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.