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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 sharp or acidic.
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.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Alentejo red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Nemea Agiorgitiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Chilean Carmenère
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Southern Rhône blend
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Agiorgitiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Alentejo red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Nemea Agiorgitiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
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 spicy, and drier.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Alentejo red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Nemea Agiorgitiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
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 spicy, and drier.
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.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Canaiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Négrette
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less spicy.
Portugieser
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
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.
Portugieser
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Grolleau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Schiava
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Trousseau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and drier.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
Primitivo di Manduria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more fruit-driven.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less tannic and softer.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more floral.
Marsanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
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 spicy, and drier.
Toro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more tannic and structured.
Languedoc red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and earthier.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more floral.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
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.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Alentejo red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Nemea Agiorgitiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
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 spicy, and drier.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fuller and richer.
Barossa Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more oaky.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and earthier.
Dalmatian Plavac Mali
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fuller and richer.
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 fresher and more acidic, and sweeter.
Lambrusco
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fresher and more acidic.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fresher and more acidic.
Glera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Alentejo red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy.
Nemea Agiorgitiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky.
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 spicy, and lighter.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Vin Doux Naturel
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fuller and richer.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Ruby Port
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and sweeter.
Late Bottled Vintage Port
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and sweeter.
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 Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and sweeter.
Canaiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter.
Négrette
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less spicy.
Corvinone
Both are made from corvinone, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less spicy.
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 broader and softer, and fuller and richer.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Primitivo di Manduria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less oaky.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
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 drier, and more tannic and structured.
Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and drier.
Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more herbal and green.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Chasselas
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.
Palomino Fino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less tannic and softer.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less spicy.
Alentejo red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and drier.
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 drier, and more tannic and structured.
Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and earthier.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fuller and richer.
Canaiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
Mourvèdre
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and drier.
Languedoc red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and drier.
Jumilla Monastrell
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and drier.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Primitivo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fuller and richer.
Zinfandel
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more oaky.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more oaky.
Primitivo di Manduria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, 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.
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.
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 fresher and more acidic, and less spicy.
Corvinone
Both are made from corvinone, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fuller and richer.
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 fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Amarone della Valpolicella
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 fresher and more acidic, and fuller and richer.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Both are made from corvina, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Corvinone
Both are made from corvinone, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.
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 fresher and more acidic, 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 fresher and more acidic, and lighter.
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.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Southern Rhône blend
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and earthier.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Primitivo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fuller and richer.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Alentejo red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Nemea Agiorgitiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
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 spicy, and drier.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
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.
Alentejo red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Nemea Agiorgitiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
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 spicy, and drier.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and earthier.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fuller and richer.
Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.
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.