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 and how smooth and easy it is to drink, 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 fresh, crisp acidity 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.
Cinsault
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
- Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Grolleau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
- Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
- 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.
- Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Muscat Bailey A
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
- Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
- 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.
- Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
- 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.
- Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Portugieser
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
- 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.
- Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
- Substantially 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.
Cinsault
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fruitier.
Grolleau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter in alcohol.
Tibouren
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and more savoury.
Muscat Bailey A
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Cinsault
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fruitier.
Grolleau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter in alcohol.
Tibouren
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and more savoury.
Muscat Bailey A
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.
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 leaner and more cutting, and more floral.
Poulsard
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and earthier.
English still Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
English still rosé
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
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 fresher.
Moschofilero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fresher.
Grolleau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter.
Schiava
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and lighter.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Muscat Bailey A
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, 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 fresher and more acidic, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Valpolicella Ripasso
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 rounder and creamier in texture.
Australian Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Verdicchio
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Grechetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Friulano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Soave Classico
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Ciliegiolo
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 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 more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.
Piedirosso
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 earthier.
Corvina
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.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Cinsault
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fruitier.
Grolleau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter in alcohol.
Tibouren
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and more savoury.
Muscat Bailey A
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.
Sparkling Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Lambrusco
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 fresher.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
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 fresher.
Franciacorta
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and sweeter.
Muscat Bailey A
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.
Portugieser
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder.
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 fresher and more acidic, and rounder and creamier in texture.
New Zealand Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Nero d’Avola
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 rounder and creamier in texture.
Muscat Bailey A
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fuller and richer.
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 fresher, and fuller and richer.
Muscat Bailey A
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more herbal and green.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Koshu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more oaky.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fuller and richer.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fuller and richer.
Trebbiano Toscano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and sweeter.
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 fresher, and fuller and richer.
Cinsault
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fruitier.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more herbal and green.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
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 leaner and more cutting, and fruitier.
Poulsard
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and lighter.
Tibouren
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and fruitier.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
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 more floral, and more savoury.
Muscat Bailey A
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.
Pinot Meunier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fuller and richer.
Gamay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, 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.
Gamay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fuller and richer.
Beaujolais
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and leaner and more cutting.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more herbal and green.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Cinsault
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fruitier.
Grolleau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter in alcohol.
Tibouren
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and more savoury.
Muscat Bailey A
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.
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.
Cinsault
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fruitier.
Grolleau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter in alcohol.
Tibouren
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and more savoury.
Muscat Bailey A
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.
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 tannic and structured, and more herbal and green.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
Barbera
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 fresher.
Cru Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fresher.
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.