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 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.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less austere.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less austere.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less austere.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less austere.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less austere.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less austere.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less austere.
Corvinone
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- 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.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more sparkling.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more sparkling.
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.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more sparkling.
Muscat Bailey A
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
Grolleau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
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.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more sparkling.
Grolleau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Muscat Bailey A
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Rondo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more oaky.
Primitivo di Manduria
Primitivo di Manduria scores closest to Merlot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and drier.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Amarone della Valpolicella scores closest to Merlot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and drier.
Toro
Toro scores closest to Merlot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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
Barbera d’Alba scores closest to Merlot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Petit Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less tannic and softer.
Vidal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less tannic and softer.
Muscat of Alexandria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more tannic and structured.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more floral.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more oaky.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more sparkling.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Muscat Bailey A
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and broader and softer.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Muscat of Alexandria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less tannic and softer.
Pedro Ximénez
Pedro Ximénez scores closest to Merlot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more sparkling.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more sparkling.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from merlot.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
Pinotage
Pinotage scores closest to Merlot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more floral.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Muscat Bailey A
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Morgon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.
Trebbiano Toscano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less tannic and softer.
Silvaner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more floral.
Dornfelder
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more tannic and structured.
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 drier, and earthier.
Chianti
Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Touriga Nacional
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 drier.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Zinfandel
Zinfandel scores closest to Merlot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and drier.
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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from merlot.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from merlot.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from merlot.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
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 drier, and fresher and more acidic.
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 drier, and earthier.
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from merlot.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from merlot.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
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 drier, and more oaky.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from merlot.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from merlot.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
Cahors
Both are made from merlot, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Cru Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more floral.
Cabernet Franc
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more sparkling.
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.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more sparkling.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Amarone della Valpolicella scores closest to Merlot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and drier.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Priorat
Priorat scores closest to Merlot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Argentine Malbec
Argentine Malbec scores closest to Merlot across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
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.