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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 full body and weight and the firm tannic structure, while moving away from too heavy and too oaky or woody.

You said you like the full body and weight and that it is too heavy. Both are about body, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
You said you like the full body and weight and that it is too heavy. Both are about alcohol, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
You said you like the peppery, spicy character and that it is too oaky or woody. Both are about spice, 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.

Valais Cornalin

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

Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less oaky or woody.

Saperavi

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

Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less oaky or woody.

Languedoc red

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

Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less heavy.
A little less oaky or woody.

Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends

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

Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less heavy.
A little less oaky or woody.

Cornalin

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

Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less oaky or woody.

Broad-leaved Melnik

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

Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less oaky or woody.

Nero di Troia

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

Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less oaky or woody.

Valpolicella Ripasso

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

Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less oaky or woody.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Valais Cornalin

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

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

Saperavi

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

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

Languedoc red

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

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

Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends

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

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

Valais Cornalin

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

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

Saperavi

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

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

Languedoc red

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

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

Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends

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

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

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.

Languedoc red

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

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

Saperavi

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

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

Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends

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

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

Valais Cornalin

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

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

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.

Valais Cornalin

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

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

Saperavi

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

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

Languedoc red

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

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

Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, 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.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Dalmatian Plavac Mali

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

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but less tannic

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

Valpolicella Ripasso

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

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

Southern Rhône blend

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

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

Australian Grenache

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

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

Grenache

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Brunello di Montalcino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Aglianico

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Taurasi

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fresher

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

Saperavi

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

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

Valais Cornalin

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

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

Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends

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

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

Cornalin

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

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

Similar but softer

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

Languedoc red

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

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

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Dalmatian Plavac Mali

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

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

Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, 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

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

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

Lambrusco

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

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Valais Cornalin

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

Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and fresher.

Similar but sweeter

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

Saperavi

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

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

Ruby Port

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.

Valpolicella Ripasso

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

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

Sparkling Shiraz

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

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

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.

Cornalin

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

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

Broad-leaved Melnik

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

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

Nero di Troia

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Valais Cornalin

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

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Tempranillo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Rioja

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Rioja Reserva

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Pinotage

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and earthier.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Malbec

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

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

Nebbiolo

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

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

Barolo

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

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

Syrah

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.

Similar but more restrained

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

Valais Cornalin

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

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

Saperavi

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

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

Languedoc red

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

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

Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, 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 oaky, and more fruit-driven.

Nebbiolo

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

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

Barolo

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

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

Syrah

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.

Similar but more savoury

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

Brunello di Montalcino

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

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

Taurasi

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

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

Barolo

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

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

Northern Rhône Syrah

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more oaky.

Similar but fruitier

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

California Pinot Noir

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

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

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

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.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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

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

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

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

Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more floral.

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, 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.

Sangiovese

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

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

Something more adventurous

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

Valais Cornalin

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

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

Saperavi

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

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

Languedoc red

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

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

Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends

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

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

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.

Valais Cornalin

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

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

Saperavi

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

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

Languedoc red

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

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

Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends

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

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

A step up

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

Brunello di Montalcino

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

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

Barolo

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

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

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Northern Rhône Syrah

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, 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.