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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.

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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 jammy or sweet-tasting and too soft or too easy.

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.

Naoussa Xinomavro

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

A little less heavy.
Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Substantially less soft or too easy.

Xinomavro

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

A little less heavy.
Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Substantially less soft or too easy.

Dão

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

A little less heavy.
Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Substantially less soft or too easy.

Etna Rosso

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

A little less heavy.
Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Substantially less soft or too easy.

Nerello Mascalese

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

A little less heavy.
Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Substantially less soft or too easy.

Red Bordeaux

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

About as heavy as the wine you started from.
Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Substantially less soft or too easy.

Aglianico

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

About as heavy as the wine you started from.
Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Substantially less soft or too easy.

Baga

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

About as heavy as the wine you started from.
Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Substantially less soft or too easy.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Naoussa Xinomavro

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and stronger and warmer.

Xinomavro

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and stronger and warmer.

Dão

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.

Etna Rosso

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.

Different grape, similar feel

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

Naoussa Xinomavro

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and stronger and warmer.

Xinomavro

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and stronger and warmer.

Dão

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.

Etna Rosso

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

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

Pinot Noir

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Red Burgundy

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Colorino

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

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

Naoussa Xinomavro

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more savoury.

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.

Pinot Noir

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Red Burgundy

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Cabernet Franc

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Fer Servadou

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

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Priorat

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Petit Verdot

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.

Uruguayan Tannat

Uruguayan Tannat scores closest to Merlot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.

Super Tuscan

Both are made from merlot.

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.

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.

Naoussa Xinomavro

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and stronger and warmer.

Xinomavro

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and stronger and warmer.

Pinot Noir

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

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

Red Burgundy

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

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Naoussa Xinomavro

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and stronger and warmer.

Xinomavro

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and stronger and warmer.

Aglianico

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Baga

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Similar but fresher

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

Naoussa Xinomavro

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and stronger and warmer.

Xinomavro

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and stronger and warmer.

Etna Rosso

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.

Nerello Mascalese

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.

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 fuller and richer, and less tannic and softer.

Tempranillo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fuller and richer.

Dolcetto

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

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

Syrah

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.

The sparkling version

Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.

Lambrusco

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

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Sparkling Shiraz

Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Merlot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Naoussa Xinomavro

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

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Tinto Cão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Rondinella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

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.

Colorino

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

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

Tinto Cão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Dão

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.

Etna Rosso

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.

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 less tannic and softer, and fuller and richer.

Rioja

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fuller and richer.

Rioja Reserva

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fuller and richer.

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fuller and richer.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Nebbiolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Barbaresco

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Barolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.

Pinot Noir

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Similar but more restrained

For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.

Red Bordeaux

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less tannic and softer.

Aglianico

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Baga

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Bairrada Baga

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Similar but more floral

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

Nebbiolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Barbaresco

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Pinot Noir

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Naoussa Xinomavro

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and stronger and warmer.

Similar but more savoury

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

Naoussa Xinomavro

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and stronger and warmer.

Xinomavro

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and stronger and warmer.

Dão

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.

Etna Rosso

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.

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 less tannic and softer.

Touriga Nacional

Touriga Nacional scores closest to Merlot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.

Petite Sirah

Petite Sirah scores closest to Merlot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.

Bolgheri

Both are made from merlot.

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 Classico

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fuller and richer.

Chianti Classico Riserva

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less tannic and softer.

Chianti

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.

Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Chianti

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.

Red Bordeaux

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less tannic and softer.

Cahors

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 fuller and richer, and less tannic and softer.

Chianti Classico

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less tannic and softer.

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from merlot.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.

Bolgheri

Both are made from merlot.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from merlot.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from merlot.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.

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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less tannic and softer.

Nebbiolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Barbaresco

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Pinot Noir

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Something more adventurous

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

Naoussa Xinomavro

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and stronger and warmer.

Xinomavro

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and stronger and warmer.

Dão

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.

Etna Rosso

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.

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.

Naoussa Xinomavro

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and stronger and warmer.

Xinomavro

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and stronger and warmer.

Dão

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.

Etna Rosso

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, 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

Ribera del Duero 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 rounder and creamier in texture.

Super Tuscan

Both are made from merlot.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, 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.