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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.

I like…

The bright red fruit How light it is How fresh and crisp it is How smooth and soft it is That it is not oaky

But it’s a bit…

too tart or sour-fruited too light or thin too sharp or acidic too soft or too easy too alcoholic or warming too plain or too simple

Clear all

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 sharp or acidic, 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.

Substantially less sharp or acidic.
A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Tinta Negra

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

Substantially less sharp or acidic.
A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Dão

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

Substantially less sharp or acidic.
A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Ciliegiolo

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

Substantially less sharp or acidic.
A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Nerello Cappuccio

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

Substantially less sharp or acidic.
A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Piedirosso

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

Substantially less sharp or acidic.
A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Carignan

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Substantially less sharp or acidic.
A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Cahors

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Substantially less sharp or acidic.
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

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.

Dão

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.

Ciliegiolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.

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

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.

Dão

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.

Ciliegiolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.

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

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

Poulsard

Poulsard scores closest to Molinara across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

English still Pinot Noir

English still Pinot Noir scores closest to Molinara across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

País

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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.

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.

Dão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.

Colorino

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and broader and softer.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Jumilla Monastrell

Jumilla Monastrell scores closest to Molinara across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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 fuller and richer, and fruitier.

Rioja

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.

Rioja Reserva

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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.

Douro white

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.

Encruzado

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.

White Burgundy

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, 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

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.

Carignan

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.

Cahors

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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.

Rioja

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fuller and richer.

Rioja Reserva

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fuller and richer.

Rioja Gran Reserva

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fuller and richer.

Nero d’Avola

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.

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

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.

Tawny Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.

Rioja

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fuller and richer.

Rioja Reserva

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fuller and richer.

Nero d’Avola

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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 fresher and more acidic, and fuller and richer.

Barolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fuller and richer.

Barbaresco

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fuller and richer.

Syrah

Syrah scores closest to Molinara across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and softer and rounder.

Similar but more restrained

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

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.

Ciliegiolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.

Nerello Cappuccio

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.

Similar but more floral

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

Dão

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.

Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.

Malbec

Malbec scores closest to Molinara across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.

Pinot Noir

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.

Dão

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.

Carignan

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.

Cahors

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.

Red Bordeaux

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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, cooler climate

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

Valpolicella

Both are made from molinara, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter in alcohol.

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Valpolicella

Both are made from molinara, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.

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

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.

Rioja

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fuller and richer.

Rioja Reserva

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fuller and richer.

Rioja Gran Reserva

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fuller and richer.

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

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.

Dão

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.

Ciliegiolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.

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

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.

Dão

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.

Ciliegiolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.

A step up

The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.

Red Bordeaux

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.

Rioja

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.

Rioja Reserva

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.

Grenache

Grenache scores closest to Molinara across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and softer and rounder.

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.