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 and how light and easy it feels.
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.
- Keeps how light and easy it feels.
Cinsault
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Keeps how light and easy it feels.
Portugieser
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Keeps how light and easy it feels.
País
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Keeps how light and easy it feels.
Tibouren
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Keeps how light and easy it feels.
Grolleau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Keeps how light and easy it feels.
Valpolicella
Both are made from molinara, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
- Has some of that the fruit is not covered in oak, though less of it.
- Keeps how light and easy it feels.
Poulsard
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Keeps how light and easy it feels.
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.
Portugieser
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and sweeter.
País
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, 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.
Portugieser
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and sweeter.
País
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, 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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Poulsard
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and earthier.
English still Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Jacquère
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Colombard
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less tannic and softer.
Melon de Bourgogne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more sparkling.
Vinho Verde
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more sparkling.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Colorino
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.
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 broader and softer.
Pinot Meunier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more floral.
Canaiolo
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 less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Cortese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle.
Roditis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Seyval Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more neutral and subtle.
Colombard
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol.
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 more tannic and structured.
Mondeuse Noire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.
Fer Servadou
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.
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 broader and softer.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Cinsault
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and leaner and more cutting.
Grolleau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and sweeter.
Portugieser
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and sweeter.
Tibouren
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and leaner and more cutting.
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 stiller.
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 stiller.
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.
Prosecco
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.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Grolleau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and softer and rounder.
Portugieser
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader 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 sweeter.
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 broader and softer.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
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.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.
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.
Muscat Bailey A
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.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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 fuller and richer, and more oaky.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more aromatic.
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.
Trebbiano Toscano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and sweeter.
Melon de Bourgogne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more sparkling.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Cinsault
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, 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 neutral and subtle.
Schiava
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
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 fuller and richer, 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.
Tibouren
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and softer and rounder.
Poulsard
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
English still Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
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.
Beaujolais
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more floral.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more floral.
Gamay
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.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.
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.
Portugieser
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and sweeter.
País
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, 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.
Portugieser
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and sweeter.
País
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and softer and rounder.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Cru Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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 fuller and richer, and more oaky.
Chianti
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 oaky.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.
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.