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 how smooth and easy it is to drink and that the fruit is not covered in oak, while moving away from too light or thin.
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.
Corvinone
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Has some of how smooth and easy it is to drink, though less of it.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Trincadeira
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of how smooth and easy it is to drink, though less of it.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of how smooth and easy it is to drink, though less of it.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Pinot Meunier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- A little 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 smooth and easy it is to drink.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Ciliegiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Has some of how smooth and easy it is to drink, though less of it.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Nerello Cappuccio
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Has some of how smooth and easy it is to drink, though less of it.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- 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.
Corvinone
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 broader and softer.
Trincadeira
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and spicier.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and stronger and warmer.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Corvinone
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 broader and softer.
Trincadeira
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and spicier.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and stronger and warmer.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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.
Grolleau
Grolleau scores closest to Molinara across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
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
English still Pinot Noir scores closest to Molinara across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Pinot Meunier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
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 lighter.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Corvinone
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 broader and softer.
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 more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
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 less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Greco
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.
Austrian Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Antão Vaz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Petit Manseng
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
Corvinone
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 broader and softer.
Trincadeira
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and spicier.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Refosco
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 fruitier.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Corvinone
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 broader and softer.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
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 more oaky.
Montepulciano
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 more oaky.
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 oaky, and more tannic and structured.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more tannic and structured.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more tannic and structured.
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 less tannic and softer.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Corvinone
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 broader and softer.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and stronger and warmer.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more tannic and structured.
Barbera d’Alba
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Montepulciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more tannic and structured.
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 more tannic and structured.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more tannic and structured.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.
Palomino Fino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Chasselas
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Corvinone
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.
Trincadeira
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more aromatic.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Pinot Meunier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.
Jaen
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more tannic and structured.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Broad-leaved Melnik
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fruitier.
Chianti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more tannic and structured.
Carignan
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
Cahors
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
Corvinone
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 broader and softer.
Trincadeira
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and spicier.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Pinot Meunier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.
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
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 more oaky.
Southern Rhône blend
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Corvinone
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 broader and softer.
Trincadeira
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and spicier.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and stronger and warmer.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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.
Corvinone
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 broader and softer.
Trincadeira
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and spicier.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and stronger and warmer.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and rounder and creamier in texture.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
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 more oaky.
Southern Rhône blend
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
Chianti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more tannic and structured.
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.