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.

← Back to País

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.

I like…

The bright red fruit How light it is How smooth and soft it is That it is not oaky

But it’s a bit…

too tart or sour-fruited too light or thin too soft or too easy too alcoholic or warming too plain or too simple too earthy or musty

Clear all

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 light and easy it feels and that the fruit is not covered in oak, while moving away from too plain or too simple, too earthy or musty and too alcoholic or warming.

You said you like that the fruit is not covered in oak and that it is too plain or too simple. Both are about oak influence, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
You said you like how light and easy it feels and that it is too alcoholic or warming. Both are about alcohol, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.

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

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of how light and easy it feels, though less of it.
Has noticeably less of that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Egri Bikavér

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of how light and easy it feels, though less of it.
Has noticeably less of that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Gamay

curated

A comparably pale, light, savoury red for chilling.

Has some of how light and easy it feels, though less of it.
Has some of that the fruit is not covered in oak, though less of it.
Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.

Cinsault

curated

Both are old-vine, light, pale reds enjoying a revival.

Keeps how light and easy it feels.
Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
About as plain or too simple as the wine you started from.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.

Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of how light and easy it feels, though less of it.
Has noticeably less of that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Substantially less plain or too simple.
About as earthy or musty as the wine you started from.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Prokupac

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of how light and easy it feels, though less of it.
Has some of that the fruit is not covered in oak, though less of it.
Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Zweigelt

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of how light and easy it feels, though less of it.
Has some of that the fruit is not covered in oak, though less of it.
Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Areni

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of how light and easy it feels, though less of it.
Has some of that the fruit is not covered in oak, though less of it.
Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

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

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.

Egri Bikavér

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.

Gamay

curated

A comparably pale, light, savoury red for chilling.

Expect: More fruit-forward and more polished.

Cinsault

curated

Both are old-vine, light, pale reds enjoying a revival.

Expect: More floral and Mediterranean.

Different grape, similar feel

Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.

Barbera

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.

Egri Bikavér

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.

Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.

Prokupac

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fuller and richer.

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 in alcohol, and lighter.

English still Pinot Noir

English still Pinot Noir scores closest to País across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.

Poulsard

Poulsard scores closest to País across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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

English still Pinot Noir scores closest to País across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.

Grolleau

Grolleau scores closest to País across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.

Schiava

Schiava scores closest to País across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.

Valpolicella

Valpolicella scores closest to País across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Barbera

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.

Egri Bikavér

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.

Prokupac

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.

Zweigelt

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.

Similar but less tannic

For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.

German dry Riesling (trocken)

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fuller and richer.

Valais Petite Arvine

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fuller and richer.

Aligoté

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.

English still white

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Egri Bikavér

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.

Blaufränkisch

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.

Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.

Similar but fresher

Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.

Barbera

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.

Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.

Barbera d’Asti

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.

Chianti

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fuller and richer.

Similar but softer

Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.

Zinfandel

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

California Rhône blend

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Alentejo red

Alentejo red scores closest to País across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Carmenère

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.

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 País across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.

Lambrusco

Lambrusco scores closest to País across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter in alcohol.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to País across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter in alcohol.

English Blanc de Blancs

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.

Similar but sweeter

Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.

Tinta Negra

Tinta Negra scores closest to País across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fuller and richer.

Zinfandel

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Touriga Franca

Touriga Franca scores closest to País across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Corvina

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Change the flavour

Same shape, different aromatic character.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Barbera

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.

Egri Bikavér

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.

Zinfandel

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

California Rhône blend

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Similar but more aromatic

More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.

Gamay

curated

A comparably pale, light, savoury red for chilling.

Expect: More fruit-forward and more polished.

Malbec

Malbec scores closest to País across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Syrah

Syrah scores closest to País across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.

Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.

Similar but more restrained

For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.

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.

Barbera

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.

Egri Bikavér

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.

Prokupac

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fuller and richer.

Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.

Similar but more floral

Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.

Gamay

curated

A comparably pale, light, savoury red for chilling.

Expect: More fruit-forward and more polished.

Malbec

Malbec scores closest to País across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Beaujolais

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.

Cabernet Franc

Cabernet Franc scores closest to País across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.

Similar but more savoury

Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.

Naoussa Xinomavro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fuller and richer.

Xinomavro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fuller and richer.

Chianti

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fuller and richer.

Areni

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fuller and richer.

Similar but fruitier

More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.

Zinfandel

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Zweigelt

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fuller and richer.

Beaujolais

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.

Barbera

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.

Change the place

Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.

Same grape, cooler climate

Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.

País

Both are made from país, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.

Same grape, warmer climate

Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.

País

Both are made from país, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.

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

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.

Gamay

curated

A comparably pale, light, savoury red for chilling.

Expect: More fruit-forward and more polished.

Zinfandel

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Beaujolais

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.

Something more adventurous

Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.

Egri Bikavér

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.

Cinsault

curated

Both are old-vine, light, pale reds enjoying a revival.

Expect: More floral and Mediterranean.

Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.

Prokupac

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.

Egri Bikavér

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.

Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.

Prokupac

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fuller and richer.

Zweigelt

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fuller and richer.

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.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fuller and richer.

Barbera

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and lighter in alcohol.

Oregon Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fuller and richer.

Amarone della Valpolicella

Amarone della Valpolicella scores closest to País across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

How these are chosen

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.