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Wines like Valpolicella Ripasso
Valpolicella re-passed over the drained skins of Amarone, gaining body, alcohol and dried-fruit character. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Valpolicella Ripasso?
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 bright red fruit
- Raspberry, redcurrant, sour cherry — lighter and sharper than dark fruit, usually from a cooler place or an earlier picking.
- 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.
- How fresh and crisp it is
- Acidity is what makes your mouth water and makes a wine feel refreshing rather than heavy. It is the single most useful thing to know about your own taste.
- That it is not oaky
- No barrel character — just the fruit and the acidity. Chablis and Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc are the reference points.
- 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.
Looking for something moving away from too tart or sour-fruited, too plain or too simple and too heavy.
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.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- About as heavy as the wine you started from.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- About as heavy as the wine you started from.
Rioja Gran Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- About as heavy as the wine you started from.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- About as heavy as the wine you started from.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less heavy.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- About as heavy as the wine you started from.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less heavy.
Dolcetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
- About as plain or too simple as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less heavy.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Rioja Gran Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Rioja Gran Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
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.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Red Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, 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.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less oaky.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less oaky.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less oaky.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Super Tuscan
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Valpolicella Ripasso across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Ribera del Duero
Ribera del Duero scores closest to Valpolicella Ripasso across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Barossa Shiraz
Barossa Shiraz scores closest to Valpolicella Ripasso across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Barbera d’Alba
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less tannic and softer.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less oaky.
Naoussa Xinomavro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less oaky.
Barbera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less oaky.
Xinomavro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less oaky.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.
Alentejo red
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.
Nemea Agiorgitiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.
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 fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Lambrusco
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stiller.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Rioja Gran Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
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 fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.
Sparkling Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Sagrantino
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
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.
Rondinella
Both are made from rondinella, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Colorino
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Canaiolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Portugieser
Portugieser scores closest to Valpolicella Ripasso across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Rioja Gran Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less tannic and softer.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Rioja Gran Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher.
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, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
California Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Valpolicella Ripasso across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Zinfandel
Zinfandel scores closest to Valpolicella Ripasso across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
California Pinot Noir
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Bolgheri
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Change the place
Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
Valpolicella
Both are made from corvina, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher.
Rondinella
Both are made from rondinella, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
Corvina
Both are made from corvina, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Both are made from corvina, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Corvina
Both are made from corvina, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Rondinella
Both are made from rondinella, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Rioja Gran Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher.
Dolcetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Egri Bikavér
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher.
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.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher.
Dolcetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Egri Bikavér
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Ribera del Duero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Super Tuscan
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Both are made from corvina, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Priorat
Priorat scores closest to Valpolicella Ripasso across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
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.