If you like this, try…
Wines like Molinara
A pale, high-acid Valpolicella variety, now optional in the blend and much reduced in plantings. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
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What do you like about Molinara?
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 bright red fruit
- Raspberry, redcurrant, sour cherry — lighter and sharper than dark fruit, usually from a cooler place or an earlier picking.
- How light it is
- A wine you can drink without it feeling like a commitment. Usually lower in alcohol as well as lighter in the mouth.
- How fresh and crisp it is
- Acidity is what makes your mouth water and makes a wine feel refreshing rather than heavy. It is the single most useful thing to know about your own taste.
- 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.
- That it is not too strong
- Alcohol you notice as warmth at the back of the throat. Some people find it a pleasant part of a big red and some find it tiring.
- That it is not oaky
- No barrel character — just the fruit and the acidity. Chablis and Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc are the reference points.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Valpolicella
Both are made from molinara, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
Frappato
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 fruitier.
Barbera
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 fuller and richer.
Cinsault
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and softer and rounder.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Frappato
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 fruitier.
Barbera
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 fuller and richer.
Cinsault
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and softer and rounder.
Pinot Meunier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more floral.
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.
Schiava
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 softer and rounder.
English still Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more floral.
Poulsard
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and stronger and warmer.
Grolleau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.
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.
English still Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and lighter.
Valpolicella
Both are made from molinara, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more oaky.
Schiava
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more floral.
Grolleau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and softer and rounder.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Barbera d’Alba
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.
Montepulciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and spicier.
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.
Valpolicella
Both are made from molinara, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
Barbera d’Alba
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.
Barbera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
Cinsault
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more floral.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Colorino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and broader and softer.
Refosco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.
Ciliegiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.
Nerello Cappuccio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
Montepulciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
Bonarda
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and spicier.
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, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and fuller and richer.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and sweeter.
Sparkling Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.
Valpolicella
Both are made from molinara, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and more oaky.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Grolleau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fuller and richer.
Portugieser
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more sparkling.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Barbera d’Alba
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Barbera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Nero d’Avola
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
Barbera d’Asti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Gamay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and earthier.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more oaky.
Barbaresco
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
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.
Valpolicella
Both are made from molinara, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more oaky.
Barbera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more oaky.
Grolleau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and sweeter.
Ciliegiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fuller and richer.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Gamay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and earthier.
Cinsault
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and softer and rounder.
Pinot Meunier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Chianti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more herbal and green.
País
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fruitier.
Poulsard
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
Etna Rosso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more savoury.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Frappato
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 more savoury.
Cinsault
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and softer and rounder.
Pinot Meunier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more floral.
Beaujolais
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more oaky.
Change the place
Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower 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.
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.
Barbera
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 fuller and richer.
Beaujolais
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more oaky.
Chianti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more herbal and green.
Gamay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more floral.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Valpolicella
Both are made from molinara, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
Frappato
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 fruitier.
Cinsault
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and softer and rounder.
Pinot Meunier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more floral.
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.
Valpolicella
Both are made from molinara, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
Frappato
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 fruitier.
Cinsault
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and softer and rounder.
Pinot Meunier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more floral.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Barbera
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 fuller and richer.
Chianti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more herbal and green.
Cru Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fuller and richer.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.
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.