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 keeping the fresh, crisp acidity, the bright red-fruited character and that the fruit is not covered in oak, while moving away from too sharp or acidic.
- You said you like the fresh, crisp acidity and that it is too sharp or acidic. Both are about acidity, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
- You said you like the bright red-fruited character and that it is too sharp or acidic. Both are about perceived freshness, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
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.
Grolleau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
- Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
País
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
- Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Tibouren
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
- Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Cinsault
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
- Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Schiava
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
- Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Portugieser
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Poulsard
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
- Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Frappato
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
- Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- A little less sharp or acidic.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Grolleau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter in alcohol.
País
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more savoury.
Tibouren
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and more savoury.
Cinsault
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more floral.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Grolleau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter in alcohol.
País
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more savoury.
Tibouren
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and more savoury.
Cinsault
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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 lighter, and more floral.
Poulsard
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and earthier.
English still Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
Hondarrabi Zuri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more oaky.
Hunter Valley Semillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Moschofilero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Mantinia Moschofilero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.
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 fruitier.
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 fruitier.
Piedirosso
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 less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Grechetto
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 sweeter.
Friulano
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 more savoury.
Xarel·lo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.
Altesse
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.
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 fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.
Fer Servadou
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Colorino
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.
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 fruitier.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Grolleau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and leaner and more cutting.
Tibouren
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and leaner and more cutting.
Cinsault
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more floral.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, 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, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, 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 fresher, and fuller and richer.
Sparkling Shiraz
Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Molinara across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.
Glera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more floral.
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 lighter in alcohol.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.
Portugieser
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fuller and richer.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.
Australian Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.
Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.
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.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fresher.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.
Muscat Bailey A
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, 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.
Trebbiano Toscano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and sweeter.
Koshu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less tannic and softer.
Seyval Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and sweeter.
Cortese
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 more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Cinsault
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.
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 neutral and subtle.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.
Frappato
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
País
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and leaner and more cutting.
Poulsard
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and earthier.
Tibouren
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Dão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Cinsault
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more floral.
Frappato
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
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 fuller and richer.
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 fuller and richer.
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.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.
Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fresher.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fresher.
Cru Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fresher.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Grolleau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter in alcohol.
País
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more savoury.
Tibouren
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and more savoury.
Cinsault
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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.
Grolleau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter in alcohol.
País
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more savoury.
Tibouren
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and more savoury.
Cinsault
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more floral.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.
Cru Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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 fresher and more acidic, 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.