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 oaky or woody.
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.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
curatedA similarly soft, plummy, low-tannin red at consistently modest prices.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
Cahors
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
Bonarda
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
Chianti
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
curatedA similarly soft, plummy, low-tannin red at consistently modest prices.
Expect: Higher acidity and a more rustic, less polished finish.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green.
Cahors
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 earthier, and more floral.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more tannic and structured.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
curatedA similarly soft, plummy, low-tannin red at consistently modest prices.
Expect: Higher acidity and a more rustic, less polished finish.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more tannic and structured.
Bonarda
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more fruit-driven.
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.
Beaujolais
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more tannic and structured.
Cru Beaujolais
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fresher.
Valpolicella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.
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
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 floral.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more floral.
Grolleau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Loire Cabernet Franc
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 acidic, and fresher.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Toro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more tannic and structured.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and earthier.
Alicante Bouschet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and leaner and more cutting.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more oaky.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Barbera d’Alba
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
Marsanne
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 rounder and creamier in texture.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more fruit-driven.
Roussanne
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 floral.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Cahors
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 earthier, and more floral.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more herbal and green.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and leaner and more cutting.
Negroamaro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Cahors
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 earthier, and more floral.
Carignan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more savoury.
Chianti
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and earthier.
Chilean Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and lighter.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Marsanne
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 riper and less green.
Pedro Ximénez
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and sweeter.
Grenache Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less tannic and softer.
Muscat of Alexandria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and sweeter.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and stiller.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and stiller.
Sparkling Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more oaky.
Franciacorta
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and sweeter.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and sweeter.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and sweeter.
Corvinone
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
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.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
curatedA similarly soft, plummy, low-tannin red at consistently modest prices.
Expect: Higher acidity and a more rustic, less polished finish.
Cahors
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 earthier, and more floral.
Chianti
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
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.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
curatedA similarly soft, plummy, low-tannin red at consistently modest prices.
Expect: Higher acidity and a more rustic, less polished finish.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and riper and less green.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and leaner and more cutting.
Bonarda
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more herbal and green.
Gamay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fresher and more acidic.
Muscat Bailey A
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Pinot Blanc
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 lighter.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fresher and more acidic.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter.
Franken Silvaner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and earthier.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more herbal and green.
Gamay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Cahors
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 earthier, and more neutral and subtle.
Bierzo Mencía
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Cahors
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 earthier, and more floral.
Chianti
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Carignan
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 acidic, and earthier.
Dão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Barbera d’Alba
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
Toro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more tannic and structured.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more oaky.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and sweeter.
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, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
Chianti
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Cahors
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 earthier, and fuller and richer.
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.
Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.
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 more oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more oaky.
Cahors
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 fresher and more acidic, and more restrained in fruit.
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
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.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
curatedA similarly soft, plummy, low-tannin red at consistently modest prices.
Expect: Higher acidity and a more rustic, less polished finish.
Chianti
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Cru Beaujolais
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fresher.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more floral.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green.
Cahors
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 earthier, and more floral.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more tannic and structured.
Bonarda
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more fruit-driven.
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.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green.
Cahors
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 earthier, and more floral.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more tannic and structured.
Bonarda
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more fruit-driven.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and earthier.
Priorat
Priorat scores closest to Merlot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more oaky.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Amarone della Valpolicella scores closest to Merlot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more oaky.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more oaky.
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.