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 that the fruit is not covered in oak.
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.
Frappato
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Cinsault
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Pinot Meunier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Grolleau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Schiava
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Portugieser
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Ciliegiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Nerello Cappuccio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Frappato
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fruitier.
Cinsault
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and softer and rounder.
Pinot Meunier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more floral.
Grolleau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and softer and rounder.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Frappato
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fruitier.
Cinsault
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and softer and rounder.
Pinot Meunier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more floral.
Grolleau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and softer and rounder.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and softer and rounder.
Poulsard
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and stronger and warmer.
English still Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and earthier.
Jacquère
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more neutral and subtle.
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 more oaky, and earthier.
Hunter Valley Semillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less tannic and softer.
Colombard
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer.
Kabinett
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Ciliegiolo
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 more tannic and structured.
Colorino
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.
Nerello Cappuccio
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 more tannic and structured.
Pinot Meunier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and leaner and more cutting.
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 fuller and richer, and more savoury.
Grechetto
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 sweeter.
Altesse
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.
Friulano
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 fuller and richer.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Bobal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.
Broad-leaved Melnik
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.
Canaiolo
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.
Castelão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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.
Canaiolo
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.
Ciliegiolo
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.
Cinsault
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and leaner and more cutting.
Colorino
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.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Lambrusco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and fuller and richer.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and sweeter.
Glera
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 more floral.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fuller and richer.
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 fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
Dornfelder
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more floral.
Grolleau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Lambrusco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and fuller and richer.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.
Montepulciano
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.
Valpolicella Ripasso
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.
Bonarda
Bonarda scores closest to Molinara across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more herbal and green.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.
Morgon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, 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.
Cortese
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.
Seyval Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less tannic and softer.
Jacquère
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Melon de Bourgogne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Canaiolo
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.
Cinsault
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and softer and rounder.
Dornfelder
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more neutral and subtle.
Frappato
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more neutral and subtle.
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 softer and rounder, and fruitier.
Poulsard
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
Tibouren
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and softer and rounder.
Broad-leaved Melnik
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
Cinsault
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and softer and rounder.
Frappato
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more savoury.
Pinot Meunier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more floral.
Ciliegiolo
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 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.
Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more floral.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.
Chianti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
Cru Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more floral.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Frappato
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fruitier.
Cinsault
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and softer and rounder.
Pinot Meunier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more floral.
Grolleau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and softer and rounder.
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.
Frappato
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fruitier.
Cinsault
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and softer and rounder.
Pinot Meunier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more floral.
Grolleau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and softer and rounder.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Chianti
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.
Cru Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more floral.
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 fuller and richer.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more herbal and green.
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.