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.
Refine
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 how light and easy it feels, while moving away from too light or thin.
- You said you like how light and easy it feels and that it is too light or thin. Both are about body, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
- You said you like how light and easy it feels and that it is too light or thin. Both are about alcohol, 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.
Barbera d’Asti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Has noticeably less of how light and easy it feels.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Refosco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Has noticeably less of how light and easy it feels.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Barbera d’Alba
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Has noticeably less of how light and easy it feels.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Corvinone
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Has noticeably less of how light and easy it feels.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Rosso di Montalcino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Has noticeably less of how light and easy it feels.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Graciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of how light and easy it feels.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Has noticeably less of how light and easy it feels.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Bobal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of how light and easy it feels.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
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 more oaky, and fruitier.
Refosco
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 fruitier.
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 more oaky, and fruitier.
Corvinone
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 sweeter.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
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 more oaky, and fruitier.
Refosco
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 fruitier.
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 more oaky, and fruitier.
Corvinone
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 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.
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.
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 more oaky, and fruitier.
Refosco
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 fruitier.
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 more oaky, and fruitier.
Corvinone
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 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.
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.
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 more oaky, and fruitier.
Rosso di Montalcino
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 more savoury.
Chianti Classico
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 more oaky.
Graciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more floral.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
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 more oaky, and fruitier.
Bonarda
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and softer and rounder.
Brunello di Montalcino
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 more savoury.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more tannic and structured.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Greco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Greco di Tufo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more oaky.
Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more oaky.
Soave Classico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more oaky.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Refosco
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 fruitier.
Rosso di Montalcino
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 more savoury.
Graciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more floral.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
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 more oaky.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Montepulciano
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 softer and rounder.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
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 softer and rounder.
Valpolicella Ripasso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and sweeter.
Bonarda
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more tannic and structured.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Sparkling Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more oaky.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and softer and rounder.
Corvinone
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 softer and rounder.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more tannic and structured.
Valpolicella Ripasso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more tannic and structured.
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 fruitier, and more savoury.
Nero d’Avola
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 spicier.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more tannic and structured.
Rioja Crianza
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and spicier.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Barbaresco
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 more aromatic.
Nebbiolo
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 more aromatic.
Barolo
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 more savoury.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more tannic and structured.
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.
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 more aromatic, and more oaky.
Refosco
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 tannic and structured.
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 more aromatic, and more oaky.
Corvinone
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 broader and softer.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Barbaresco
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 more oaky.
Nebbiolo
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 more oaky.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more tannic and structured.
Barolo
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 more savoury.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
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 more oaky.
Chianti Classico
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 more oaky.
Sangiovese
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 more oaky.
Carignan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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.
Corvinone
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 sweeter.
Graciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more floral.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.
Bonarda
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and softer and rounder.
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.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
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 broader and softer.
Chianti Classico
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 more oaky.
Sangiovese
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 more oaky.
Rioja Crianza
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
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 more oaky, and fruitier.
Refosco
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 fruitier.
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 more oaky, and fruitier.
Corvinone
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 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.
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 more oaky, and fruitier.
Refosco
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 fruitier.
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 more oaky, and fruitier.
Corvinone
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 sweeter.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Chianti Classico
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 more oaky.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
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 broader and softer.
Sangiovese
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 more oaky.
Rioja Crianza
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.
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.