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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 moving away from too drying or too tannic, too savoury or funky and too jammy or sweet-tasting.

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.

Carmenère

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

Substantially less drying or too tannic.
About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.

Chilean Carmenère

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

Substantially less drying or too tannic.
About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

Substantially less drying or too tannic.
More savoury or funky, not less.
Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.

Australian Pinot Noir

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

Substantially less drying or too tannic.
About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.

Oregon Pinot Noir

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

Substantially less drying or too tannic.
About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.

Alentejo red

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Substantially less drying or too tannic.
A little less savoury or funky.
A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.

Agiorgitiko

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Substantially less drying or too tannic.
A little less savoury or funky.
A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.

Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir

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

Substantially less drying or too tannic.
About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Carmenère

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

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

Chilean Carmenère

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

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

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

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

Australian Pinot Noir

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

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

Carmenère

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

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

Chilean Carmenère

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

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

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

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

Australian Pinot Noir

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

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

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.

Australian Pinot Noir

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

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

Oregon Pinot Noir

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

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

Carmenère

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

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

Chilean Carmenère

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

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

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.

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

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

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

Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Red Burgundy

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Carmenère

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

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

Argentine Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 fruitier, and more fruit-driven.

Amarone della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but less tannic

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

Carmenère

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

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

Chilean Carmenère

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

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

Argentine Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Alentejo red

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

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Brunello di Montalcino

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

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

Priorat

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

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

Mavrud

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

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

Tannat

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

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

Similar but fresher

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

Oregon Pinot Noir

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

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

Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

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

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

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

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

Australian Pinot Noir

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

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

Similar but softer

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

Carmenère

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

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

Chilean Carmenère

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

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

Argentine Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Alentejo red

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, 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

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

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

Lambrusco

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

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Carmenère

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Corvina

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Valpolicella Ripasso

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Prokupac

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Trousseau

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Castelão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

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

Ribera del Duero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Tempranillo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barossa Shiraz

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

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

Similar but more aromatic

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

Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cabernet Franc

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

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

Syrah

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

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

Gamay

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

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

Similar but more restrained

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

Carmenère

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

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

Chilean Carmenère

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

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

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

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

Australian Pinot Noir

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

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

Similar but more floral

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

Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cabernet Franc

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

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

Oregon Pinot Noir

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

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

Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

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

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

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

Northern Rhône Syrah

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

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

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione

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

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

Chianti Classico Riserva

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

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Argentine Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

California Rhône blend

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Primitivo

curated

The same variety as Zinfandel under its Italian name, in a comparably warm Adriatic setting.

Expect: Softer and rounder than Plavac Mali.

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.

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 fruitier, and more fruit-driven.

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 fruitier, and more fruit-driven.

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.

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

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

Oregon Pinot Noir

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

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

Merlot

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Rioja Crianza

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Something more adventurous

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

Carmenère

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

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

Chilean Carmenère

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

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

Australian Pinot Noir

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

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

Alentejo red

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Carmenère

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

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

Chilean Carmenère

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

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

Australian Pinot Noir

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

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

Alentejo red

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

A step up

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

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

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

Northern Rhône Syrah

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

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

Ribera del Duero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Oregon Pinot Noir

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

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

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.