If you like this, try…
Wines like Medium-bodied dry red
The middle of the red-wine spectrum: enough structure for food, not so much that it dominates. The most versatile red category. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Medium-bodied dry red?
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 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 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.
- 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 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 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.
- That it is properly dry
- No perceptible sugar at all. Almost all red wine is dry and a good deal of white wine is not, which is why this is a more useful thing to say about a white than about a red.
Looking for something moving away from too jammy or sweet-tasting and too earthy or musty.
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.
Tibouren
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Both are made from sangiovese, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- About as earthy or musty as the wine you started from.
Rioja
Both are made from tempranillo, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- About as earthy or musty as the wine you started from.
Rosso di Montalcino
Both are made from sangiovese, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Rioja Reserva
Both are made from tempranillo, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- About as earthy or musty as the wine you started from.
Red Bordeaux
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- About as earthy or musty as the wine you started from.
Tempranillo
Both are made from tempranillo, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- About as earthy or musty as the wine you started from.
Sangiovese
Both are made from sangiovese, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- About as earthy or musty 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.
Tibouren
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Both are made from sangiovese, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fresher and more acidic.
Rioja
Both are made from tempranillo, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and spicier.
Rosso di Montalcino
Both are made from sangiovese, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Tibouren
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Uruguayan Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Valais Cornalin
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Chilean Carmenère
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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.
Tibouren
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Colorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Grolleau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Portugieser
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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.
Tibouren
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Grolleau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Schiava
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Portugieser
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Uruguayan Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Petit Verdot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Ribera del Duero
Both are made from tempranillo, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and earthier.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Tibouren
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Barbera d’Asti
Both are made from barbera, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Barbera
Both are made from barbera, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Baga
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more tannic and structured.
Bairrada Baga
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more tannic and structured.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Both are made from sangiovese, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fresher and more acidic.
Rosso di Montalcino
Both are made from sangiovese, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Rosso di Montalcino
Both are made from sangiovese, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Both are made from sangiovese, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more tannic and structured.
Sangiovese
Both are made from sangiovese, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more herbal and green.
Chianti Classico
Both are made from sangiovese, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more herbal and green.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Tempranillo
Both are made from tempranillo, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and spicier.
Carmenère
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Chilean Carmenère
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
Both are made from montepulciano, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Medium-bodied dry red across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Medium-bodied dry red across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Sparkling Shiraz
Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Medium-bodied dry red across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
English sparkling wine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more sparkling.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Tawny Port
Both are made from tempranillo, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Rondinella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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.
Tibouren
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Cornalin
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Colorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Rioja
Both are made from tempranillo, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and less oaky.
Rioja Reserva
Both are made from tempranillo, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and less oaky.
Tempranillo
Both are made from tempranillo, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and less oaky.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more fruit-driven.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more aromatic.
Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more restrained in fruit.
Muscadet
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more restrained in fruit.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Dão
Both are made from tempranillo, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more floral.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more fruit-driven.
Hawke’s Bay Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Rioja
Both are made from tempranillo, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and spicier.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Both are made from sangiovese, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fresher and more acidic.
Rioja Reserva
Both are made from tempranillo, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and spicier.
Red Bordeaux
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more herbal and green.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from merlot.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from merlot.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from merlot.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
California Rhône blend
Both are made from grenache.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Change the place
Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.
Same grape, somewhere else
Holds the variety constant and changes the place, which is often a bigger change than swapping the grape.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Both are made from sangiovese, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fresher and more acidic.
Rioja
Both are made from tempranillo, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and spicier.
Rosso di Montalcino
Both are made from sangiovese, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Rioja Reserva
Both are made from tempranillo, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and spicier.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
Chianti
Both are made from sangiovese, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fresher.
Barbera
Both are made from barbera, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Both are made from sangiovese, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fuller and richer.
Rosso di Montalcino
Both are made from sangiovese, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from merlot.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
Both are made from grenache.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from merlot.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Toro
Both are made from tempranillo.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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
Both are made from tempranillo, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and spicier.
Rioja Reserva
Both are made from tempranillo, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and spicier.
Red Bordeaux
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more herbal and green.
Tempranillo
Both are made from tempranillo, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and spicier.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Tibouren
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Both are made from sangiovese, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fresher and more acidic.
Rosso di Montalcino
Both are made from sangiovese, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Dão
Both are made from tempranillo, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more floral.
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.
Tibouren
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Both are made from sangiovese, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fresher and more acidic.
Rosso di Montalcino
Both are made from sangiovese, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Dão
Both are made from tempranillo, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more floral.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Ribera del Duero
Both are made from tempranillo, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and earthier.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Amarone della Valpolicella scores closest to Medium-bodied dry red across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Priorat
Both are made from grenache.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fruitier.
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.