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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 keeping how light and easy it feels and that the fruit is not covered in oak, while moving away from too soft or too easy and too sharp or acidic.

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.

Colorino

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

Has some of how light and easy it feels, though less of it.
Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Substantially less soft or too easy.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Fer Servadou

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

Has some of how light and easy it feels, though less of it.
Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Substantially less soft or too easy.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Tinto Cão

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

Has some of how light and easy it feels, though less of it.
Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Substantially less soft or too easy.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

País

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

Keeps how light and easy it feels.
Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
A little less soft or too easy.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Rondinella

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

Has some of how light and easy it feels, though less of it.
Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
A little less soft or too easy.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Dornfelder

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

Has some of how light and easy it feels, though less of it.
Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
A little less soft or too easy.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Trousseau

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

Has some of how light and easy it feels, though less of it.
Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
A little less soft or too easy.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Rondo

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

Has some of how light and easy it feels, though less of it.
Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
A little less soft or too easy.
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.

Colorino

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 broader and softer.

Fer Servadou

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Tinto Cão

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

País

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and earthier.

Different grape, similar feel

Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.

Colorino

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 broader and softer.

Fer Servadou

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Tinto Cão

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

País

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and earthier.

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

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.

Poulsard

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.

English still Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.

Grolleau

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

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 less tannic and softer, and lighter.

Schiava

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 lighter.

Grolleau

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Frappato

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 fresher.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Colorino

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 rounder and creamier in texture.

Fer Servadou

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Tinto Cão

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Rondinella

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less tannic and softer.

Similar but less tannic

For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.

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.

Cinsault

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Colorino

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 broader and softer.

Tibouren

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Portugieser

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and softer and rounder.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Colorino

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 broader and softer.

Fer Servadou

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Tinto Cão

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Dolcetto

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

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

Similar but softer

Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.

Colorino

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 rounder and creamier in texture.

Fer Servadou

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Tinto Cão

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Rondinella

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 less tannic and softer.

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 fuller and richer, and less tannic and softer.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less tannic and softer.

Sparkling Shiraz

Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Molinara across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.

Glera

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 softer and rounder.

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 fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less tannic and softer.

Rondinella

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less tannic and softer.

Dornfelder

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less tannic and softer.

Change the flavour

Same shape, different aromatic character.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Dolcetto

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.

Dão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.

Negroamaro

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.

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

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.

Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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 less tannic and softer, and fuller and richer.

Syrah

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, 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.

Colorino

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 broader and softer.

Fer Servadou

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Tinto Cão

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

País

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more aromatic.

Similar but more floral

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

Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.

Dornfelder

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less tannic and softer.

Frappato

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 fresher.

Cinsault

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

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 less tannic and softer, and fruitier.

Dão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.

Poulsard

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter.

Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.

Similar but fruitier

More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.

Fer Servadou

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Dornfelder

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less tannic and softer.

Rondo

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less tannic and softer.

Frappato

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 fresher.

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fresher and more acidic.

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Valpolicella

Both are made from molinara, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fresher and more acidic.

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

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.

Beaujolais

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more oaky.

Cru Beaujolais

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.

Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.

Something more adventurous

Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.

Colorino

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 broader and softer.

Fer Servadou

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Tinto Cão

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

País

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and earthier.

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.

Colorino

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 broader and softer.

Fer Servadou

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Tinto Cão

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

País

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and earthier.

A step up

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

Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.

Cru Beaujolais

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.

Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.

Red Bordeaux

Red Bordeaux scores closest to Molinara across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.

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.