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Wines like Plavac Mali

Dalmatia’s principal red: powerful, high in alcohol, and a child of Zinfandel. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

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What do you like about Plavac Mali?

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 rich dark fruit How full and weighty it is The firm, grippy structure The spice The savoury, meaty side

But it’s a bit…

too jammy or sweet-tasting too heavy too drying or too tannic too oaky or woody too peppery too savoury or funky

Clear all

What these words mean

The rich dark fruit: Blackberry, plum, black cherry — fruit that tastes ripe and generous rather than tart. It comes from warm-climate ripening and it is what most people mean when they call a red "fruity".
How full and weighty it is: Body is how much the wine seems to fill your mouth — the difference between skimmed and whole milk. It comes mostly from alcohol and ripeness.
The firm, grippy structure: High tannin — the drying grip on your gums, like over-brewed tea. It gives a red something to hold on to with rich food, and it is what lets a wine age.
The vanilla and oak: Vanilla, toast, coconut, sweet spice, sometimes smoke. It comes from the barrel rather than the grape, which is why the same grape can taste completely different with and without it.
The spice: Black pepper, clove, cinnamon. Some of it is the grape — the pepper in Syrah is a measured compound called rotundone — and some is the barrel.
The savoury, meaty side: Leather, olive, cured meat, dried herbs, tobacco. It is what people mean by calling a wine "serious" rather than "fruity", and it comes with age as well as with place.

Looking for something keeping the peppery, spicy character, the firm tannic structure and the savoury, non-fruity character, while moving away from too jammy or sweet-tasting and too savoury or funky.

You said you like the savoury, non-fruity character and that it is too savoury or funky. Both are about savoury character, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
You said you like the savoury, non-fruity character and that it is too savoury or funky. Both are about fruit intensity, 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.

Dalmatian Plavac Mali

Both are made from plavac mali, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
About as jammy or sweet-tasting as the wine you started from.
About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.

Zinfandel

curated

Its parent variety, and the closest widely available point of reference for the ripeness and the dried-fruit character.

Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
More jammy or sweet-tasting, not less.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Shiraz

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

Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
More jammy or sweet-tasting, not less.
A little less savoury or funky.

Barossa Shiraz

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

Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
More jammy or sweet-tasting, not less.
A little less savoury or funky.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
More jammy or sweet-tasting, not less.
A little less savoury or funky.

Nero di Troia

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

Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
A little less savoury or funky.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
More jammy or sweet-tasting, not less.
A little less savoury or funky.

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
About as jammy or sweet-tasting as the wine you started from.
About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.

Dalmatian Plavac Mali

Both are made from plavac mali, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Zinfandel

curated

Its parent variety, and the closest widely available point of reference for the ripeness and the dried-fruit character.

Expect: Plavac Mali is more tannic, more savoury, and less sweetly fruited.

Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more oaky.

Barossa Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, 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.

Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more oaky.

Barossa Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and rounder and creamier in texture.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Nero di Troia

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less oaky.

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.

Blaufränkisch

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher and more acidic.

Nero di Troia

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less oaky.

Syrah

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.

Pinotage

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less spicy.

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.

Nero di Troia

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less oaky.

Blaufränkisch

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and lighter.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fresher.

Bolgheri

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more herbal and green.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

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.

Dalmatian Plavac Mali

Both are made from plavac mali, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury.

Barossa Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more oaky.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fresher.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more oaky.

Similar but less tannic

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

Argentine Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.

California Rhône blend

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more herbal and green.

Zinfandel

curated

Its parent variety, and the closest widely available point of reference for the ripeness and the dried-fruit character.

Expect: Plavac Mali is more tannic, more savoury, and less sweetly fruited.

Southern Rhône blend

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Petite Sirah

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more fruit-driven.

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less spicy.

Mavrud

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more restrained in fruit.

Petit Verdot

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more restrained in fruit.

Similar but fresher

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

Blaufränkisch

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and lighter.

Nero di Troia

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less oaky.

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and sweeter.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fresher.

Similar but softer

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

Dalmatian Plavac Mali

Both are made from plavac mali, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher and more acidic.

Barossa Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fresher and more acidic.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fresher and more acidic.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fresher and more acidic.

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 more fruit-driven, and less tannic and softer.

Lambrusco

Lambrusco scores closest to Plavac Mali across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.

Dalmatian Plavac Mali

Both are made from plavac mali, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and stiller.

Similar but sweeter

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

Vintage Port

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and sweeter.

Port

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and sweeter.

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher and more acidic.

Primitivo di Manduria

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

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Change the flavour

Same shape, different aromatic character.

Similar but less oaky

One of the commonest requests in wine. Strips oak influence while holding grape character and weight.

Nero di Troia

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and lighter.

Mondeuse Noire

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more fruit-driven.

Cornalin

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more savoury.

Broad-leaved Melnik

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more savoury.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Barossa Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.

Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.

Bolgheri

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Syrah

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.

Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less spicy.

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less spicy.

Nebbiolo

Nebbiolo scores closest to Plavac Mali across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more savoury.

Similar but more restrained

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

Dalmatian Plavac Mali

Both are made from plavac mali, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more aromatic.

Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more aromatic.

Barossa Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more aromatic.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more aromatic.

Similar but more floral

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

Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less spicy.

Syrah

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.

Washington Syrah

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.

Touriga Nacional

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less spicy.

Similar but more savoury

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

Northern Rhône Syrah

Northern Rhône Syrah scores closest to Plavac Mali across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.

Brunello di Montalcino

Brunello di Montalcino scores closest to Plavac Mali across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.

Rioja Gran Reserva

Rioja Gran Reserva scores closest to Plavac Mali across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.

Taurasi

Taurasi scores closest to Plavac Mali across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.

Similar but fruitier

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

Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more oaky.

Barossa Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and rounder and creamier in texture.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, 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.

Dalmatian Plavac Mali

Both are made from plavac mali, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and softer and rounder.

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Dalmatian Plavac Mali

Both are made from plavac mali, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher and more acidic.

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.

Zinfandel

curated

Its parent variety, and the closest widely available point of reference for the ripeness and the dried-fruit character.

Expect: Plavac Mali is more tannic, more savoury, and less sweetly fruited.

Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more oaky.

Barossa Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Something more adventurous

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

Dalmatian Plavac Mali

Both are made from plavac mali, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and rounder and creamier in texture.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Nero di Troia

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less oaky.

Blaufränkisch

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and lighter.

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.

Dalmatian Plavac Mali

Both are made from plavac mali, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and rounder and creamier in texture.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Nero di Troia

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less oaky.

Blaufränkisch

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and lighter.

A step up

The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and sweeter.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more herbal and green.

Ribera del Duero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.

Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more oaky.

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.