If you like this, try…
Wines like País
The first variety planted in the Americas, producing pale, light, savoury reds from very old dry-farmed vines in Chile. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about País?
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 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.
- The earthy, mineral side
- Forest floor, wet stone, mushroom, damp earth. Widely described and much less well explained than wine writing implies — the sensation is real, the causal story usually is not.
Looking for something keeping how smooth and easy it is to drink, while moving away from too earthy or musty, too tart or sour-fruited and too light or thin.
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.
Corvinone
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of how smooth and easy it is to drink, though less of it.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Trincadeira
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of how smooth and easy it is to drink, though less of it.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of how smooth and easy it is to drink, though less of it.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Chilean Carmenère
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Has some of how smooth and easy it is to drink, though less of it.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Montepulciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of how smooth and easy it is to drink, though less of it.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Carmenère
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Has some of how smooth and easy it is to drink, though less of it.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Bonarda
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of how smooth and easy it is to drink, though less of it.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Rioja Crianza
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of how smooth and easy it is to drink, though less of it.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Corvinone
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more tannic and structured.
Trincadeira
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more tannic and structured.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Chilean Carmenère
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Corvinone
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more tannic and structured.
Trincadeira
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more tannic and structured.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Chilean Carmenère
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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
Schiava scores closest to País across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Poulsard
Poulsard scores closest to País across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
English still Pinot Noir
English still Pinot Noir scores closest to País across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Grolleau
Grolleau scores closest to País across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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.
Grolleau
Grolleau scores closest to País across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Schiava
Schiava scores closest to País across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
English still Pinot Noir
English still Pinot Noir scores closest to País across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Gamay
curatedA comparably pale, light, savoury red for chilling.
Expect: More fruit-forward and more polished.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Corvinone
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more tannic and structured.
Trincadeira
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more tannic and structured.
Chilean Carmenère
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.
Carmenère
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Palomino Fino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter.
Roussanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Grenache Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Marsanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Corvinone
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fruitier.
Trincadeira
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fruitier.
Chilean Carmenère
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 fruitier.
Carmenère
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 fruitier.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Barbera d’Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Barbera
Barbera scores closest to País across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Barbera d’Alba
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Rosso di Montalcino
Rosso di Montalcino scores closest to País across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more tannic and structured.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.
Carmenère
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.
Chilean Carmenère
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.
Montepulciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Sparkling Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to País across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to País across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Corvinone
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stiller.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Tawny Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Corvinone
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more tannic and structured.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Chilean Carmenère
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Carmenère
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Rioja Crianza
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Merlot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Malbec
Malbec scores closest to País across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fruitier.
Gamay
curatedA comparably pale, light, savoury red for chilling.
Expect: More fruit-forward and more polished.
Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fruitier.
Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fruitier.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Palomino Fino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter.
Chasselas
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Corvinone
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more tannic and structured.
Trincadeira
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more tannic and structured.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fruitier.
Gamay
curatedA comparably pale, light, savoury red for chilling.
Expect: More fruit-forward and more polished.
Canaiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more tannic and structured.
Négrette
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Rioja Gran Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Corvinone
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more tannic and structured.
Trincadeira
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more tannic and structured.
Bonarda
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Rioja Crianza
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Merlot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Corvinone
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more tannic and structured.
Trincadeira
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more tannic and structured.
Chilean Carmenère
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Montepulciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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.
Corvinone
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more tannic and structured.
Trincadeira
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more tannic and structured.
Chilean Carmenère
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Montepulciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Rioja Gran Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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.