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.
Looking for something moving away from too tart or sour-fruited and too alcoholic or warming.
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.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Areni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Dão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Sangiovese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Chianti Classico Riserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Ciliegiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Areni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Dão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Areni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Dão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
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.
Poulsard
Poulsard scores closest to Molinara across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Schiava
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
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.
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.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Areni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Chianti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Grenache
Grenache scores closest to Molinara across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Jumilla Monastrell
Jumilla Monastrell scores closest to Molinara across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Mourvèdre
Mourvèdre scores closest to Molinara across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
Rioja
Rioja scores closest to Molinara across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Friulano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Vin Jaune
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.
Sercial
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fruitier.
Palomino Fino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter in alcohol.
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 fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Dão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Vino Nobile di 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 lighter in alcohol.
Sangiovese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Grenache
Grenache scores closest to Molinara across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Jumilla Monastrell
Jumilla Monastrell scores closest to Molinara across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Mourvèdre
Mourvèdre scores closest to Molinara across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fuller and richer.
Tempranillo
Tempranillo scores closest to Molinara across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fuller and richer.
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 Molinara across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Lambrusco
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and fruitier.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Tawny Port
Tawny Port scores closest to Molinara across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Sagrantino
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Jumilla Monastrell
Jumilla Monastrell scores closest to Molinara across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Mourvèdre
Mourvèdre scores closest to Molinara across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fuller and richer.
Rioja
Rioja scores closest to Molinara across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fuller and richer.
Rioja Reserva
Rioja Reserva scores closest to Molinara across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fuller and richer.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Nebbiolo
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.
Barolo
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.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.
Syrah
Syrah scores closest to Molinara across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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.
Palomino Fino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter in alcohol.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Areni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Nebbiolo
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.
Barolo
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.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.
Dão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Areni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Dão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Vino Nobile di 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 lighter in alcohol.
Sangiovese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Ciliegiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Nerello Cappuccio
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Piedirosso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Jaen
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Change the place
Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.
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.
Sangiovese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.
Nebbiolo
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.
Barolo
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.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Areni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Dão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
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.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Areni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Dão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Sangiovese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.
Nebbiolo
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.
Barolo
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.
Grenache
Grenache scores closest to Molinara across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
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.