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.

← Back to Merlot

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.

I like…

But it’s a bit…

too jammy or sweet-tasting too tart or sour-fruited too soft or too easy too heavy too oaky or woody too austere

Clear all

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 heavy, too tart or sour-fruited, too jammy or sweet-tasting and too austere.

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.

More heavy, not less.
About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Substantially less austere.

Carmenère

curated

Carmenère was grown in Chile for decades in the belief that it was Merlot, and shares its softness and plush texture.

About as heavy 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 austere as the wine you started from.

Cabernet Sauvignon

curated

The two are blended together across Bordeaux and share dark fruit, oak affinity and body.

About as heavy 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 austere as the wine you started from.

Mourvèdre

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

About as heavy as the wine you started from.
About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
About as austere as the wine you started from.

Rondinella

Rondinella scores closest to Merlot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Substantially less heavy.
About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Substantially less austere.

Tinta Negra

Tinta Negra scores closest to Merlot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

A little less heavy.
About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Substantially less austere.

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

About as heavy as the wine you started from.
About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
More jammy or sweet-tasting, not less.
Substantially less austere.

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

About as heavy as the wine you started from.
About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
More jammy or sweet-tasting, not less.
Substantially less austere.

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 stronger and warmer, and fruitier.

Carmenère

curated

Carmenère 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.

Cabernet Sauvignon

curated

The 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 lighter.

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 stronger and warmer, and fruitier.

Mourvèdre

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Rondinella

Rondinella scores closest to Merlot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.

Tinta Negra

Tinta Negra scores closest to Merlot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and stronger and warmer.

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

Rondinella scores closest to Merlot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.

Pinot Noir

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.

Cabernet Franc

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.

Canaiolo

Canaiolo scores closest to Merlot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.

Grolleau

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

Pinot Noir

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.

Rondinella

Rondinella scores closest to Merlot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.

Portugieser

Portugieser scores closest to Merlot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Amarone della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.

Primitivo di Manduria

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.

Priorat

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.

Similar but less tannic

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

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 Negra

Tinta Negra scores closest to Merlot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and stronger and warmer.

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Grolleau

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

Portugieser

Portugieser scores closest to Merlot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

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 stronger and warmer, and fruitier.

Montefalco Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.

Cabernet Sauvignon

curated

The 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.

Similar but fresher

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

Red Bordeaux

Both are made from merlot, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.

Tinto Cão

Tinto Cão scores closest to Merlot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.

Cahors

Both are made from merlot, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.

Saperavi

Saperavi scores closest to Merlot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.

Similar but softer

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

Mourvèdre

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Tempranillo

Tempranillo scores closest to Merlot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Primitivo di Manduria

Primitivo di Manduria scores closest to Merlot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Merlot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

Lambrusco

Lambrusco scores closest to Merlot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fruitier.

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 stronger and warmer, and fruitier.

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and stronger and warmer.

Tinto Cão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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

Rondinella scores closest to Merlot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.

Tinta Negra

Tinta Negra scores closest to Merlot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and stronger and warmer.

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Tinto Cão

Tinto Cão scores closest to Merlot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Tempranillo

Tempranillo scores closest to Merlot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Rioja

Rioja scores closest to Merlot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Rioja Reserva

Rioja Reserva scores closest to Merlot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Pinotage

Pinotage scores closest to Merlot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Similar but more aromatic

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

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.

Pinot Noir

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.

Barolo

Barolo 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.

Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fruitier.

Mourvèdre

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Rondinella

Rondinella scores closest to Merlot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.

Tinta Negra

Tinta Negra scores closest to Merlot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and stronger and warmer.

Similar but more floral

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

Pinot Noir

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.

Cabernet Franc

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.

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 savoury

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

Mourvèdre

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Red Bordeaux

Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, 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 lighter.

Rioja

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

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.

Primitivo

Primitivo scores closest to Merlot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.

Primitivo di Manduria

Primitivo di Manduria scores closest to Merlot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

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.

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.

Super Tuscan

Both are made from merlot.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from merlot.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Same grape, cooler climate

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

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.

Chianti

Both are made from merlot.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

Chianti Classico Riserva

Both are made from merlot.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from merlot.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from merlot.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.

Bolgheri

Both are made from merlot.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from merlot.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.

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.

Red Bordeaux

Both are made from merlot, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.

Tempranillo

Tempranillo scores closest to Merlot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Rioja

Rioja scores closest to Merlot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Rioja Reserva

Rioja Reserva scores closest to Merlot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

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 stronger and warmer, and fruitier.

Carmenère

curated

Carmenère 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.

Mourvèdre

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Rondinella

Rondinella scores closest to Merlot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.

Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fruitier.

Mourvèdre

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Rondinella

Rondinella scores closest to Merlot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.

Tinta Negra

Tinta Negra scores closest to Merlot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and stronger and warmer.

A step up

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

Ribera del Duero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.

Amarone della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.

Priorat

Priorat scores closest to Merlot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.

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.