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 light and easy it feels and the bright red-fruited character, while 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.
Valpolicella
Both are made from molinara, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
- Keeps how light and easy it feels.
- Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Red Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of how light and easy it feels, though less of it.
- Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Beaujolais
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how light and easy it feels.
- Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Barbera
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 the bright red-fruited character.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Naoussa Xinomavro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of how light and easy it feels, though less of it.
- Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Xinomavro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of how light and easy it feels, though less of it.
- Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
País
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how light and easy it feels.
- Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of how light and easy it feels, though less of it.
- Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
- 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.
Valpolicella
Both are made from molinara, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Red Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and earthier.
Beaujolais
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
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.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Red Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and earthier.
Beaujolais
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
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.
Naoussa Xinomavro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
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 lighter, and less oaky.
Schiava
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Poulsard
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
English still rosé
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
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 lighter, and less oaky.
Alpine white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter in alcohol.
English still rosé
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Valpolicella
Both are made from molinara, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and earthier.
Barbera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Naoussa Xinomavro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Xinomavro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
White Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
Aligoté
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more savoury.
English still white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and sweeter.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Red Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and earthier.
Naoussa Xinomavro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Xinomavro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
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 oaky.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Sparkling Shiraz
Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Molinara across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
Lambrusco
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fuller and richer.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fuller and richer.
English Blanc de Blancs
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more sparkling.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.
Portugieser
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and broader and softer.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fuller and richer.
Grolleau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and broader and softer.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Red Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and earthier.
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.
Naoussa Xinomavro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Xinomavro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.
Barbaresco
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.
Nebbiolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Gavi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less tannic and softer.
Koshu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and broader and softer.
Cortese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less tannic and softer.
Valpolicella
Both are made from molinara, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
Red Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and earthier.
Beaujolais
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Red Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.
Naoussa Xinomavro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Xinomavro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Beaujolais
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Frappato
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
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.
Red Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and earthier.
Beaujolais
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
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.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Valpolicella
Both are made from molinara, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Naoussa Xinomavro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Xinomavro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
País
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and broader and softer.
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.
Valpolicella
Both are made from molinara, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Naoussa Xinomavro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Xinomavro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
País
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and broader and softer.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Red Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and earthier.
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.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
Oregon Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.