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 moving away from too plain or too simple.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Barbera d’Asti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Barbera d’Alba
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Egri Bikavér
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Red Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Chianti Classico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Corvina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
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
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.
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 fuller and richer, 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 fuller and richer, and fruitier.
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 fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Barbera
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.
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 fuller and richer, 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 fuller and richer, and fruitier.
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 fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.
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.
English still Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and earthier.
Schiava
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
Poulsard
Poulsard scores closest to Molinara across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and earthier.
English still rosé
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.
English still Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and earthier.
Red Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and stronger and warmer.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more savoury.
Barbera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fuller and richer.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Agiorgitiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.
Alentejo red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.
Alicante Bouschet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, 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.
Dry Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fuller and richer.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.
White Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and fuller and richer.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Agiorgitiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.
Aglianico
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.
Alentejo red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.
Alicante Bouschet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Agiorgitiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
Alentejo red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.
Alicante Bouschet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, 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 fuller and richer, and sweeter.
Lambrusco
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and stiller.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and stiller.
English Blanc de Blancs
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more sparkling.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Corvina
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 spicier.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and sweeter.
Sparkling Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and sweeter.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fuller and richer.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Agiorgitiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.
Aglianico
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.
Alentejo red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.
Alicante Bouschet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.
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 fuller and richer.
Barolo
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.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.
Nebbiolo
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 more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and broader and softer.
Gavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less tannic and softer.
Barbera
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 fuller and richer.
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 fuller and richer, and more aromatic.
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 fuller and richer.
Barolo
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.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.
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 fuller and richer.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Aglianico
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.
Baga
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.
Bairrada Baga
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.
Chianti Classico
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 tannic and structured.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.
Petite Sirah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.
Alicante Bouschet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, 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.
Barbera
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.
Red Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, 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 fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.
Oregon Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more savoury.
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 fuller and richer, 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 fuller and richer, and fruitier.
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 fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.
Egri Bikavér
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fuller and richer.
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 fuller and richer, 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 fuller and richer, and fruitier.
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 fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.
Egri Bikavér
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fuller and richer.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.
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 fuller and richer.
Barbera
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.
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.