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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.
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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, too plain or too simple and too tart or sour-fruited.
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.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Barossa Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- A little less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Super Tuscan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- A little less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- A little less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and earthier.
Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Barossa Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and earthier.
Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Barossa Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir scores closest to Valpolicella Ripasso across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir) scores closest to Valpolicella Ripasso across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Canaiolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir scores closest to Valpolicella Ripasso across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir) scores closest to Valpolicella Ripasso across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Red Burgundy
Red Burgundy scores closest to Valpolicella Ripasso across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc scores closest to Valpolicella Ripasso across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Barossa Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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 fruitier, and less oaky.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
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 lighter.
Barbera d’Alba
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fruitier.
Tawny Port
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.
Marsanne
Marsanne scores closest to Valpolicella Ripasso across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and earthier.
Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Barossa Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Chianti Classico
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Chianti Classico Riserva
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Aglianico
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Barossa Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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 fruitier, and less oaky.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and earthier.
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 fruitier, and fresher and more acidic.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and lighter.
Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stiller.
Barossa Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stiller.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and earthier.
Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more tannic and structured.
Barossa Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Tawny Port
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.
Vin Doux Naturel
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less oaky.
Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher and more acidic.
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.
Canaiolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Tinta Barroca
Tinta Barroca scores closest to Valpolicella Ripasso across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Corvinone
Both are made from corvinone, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
Rondinella
Both are made from rondinella, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
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 fruitier, and broader and softer.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and earthier.
Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
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 less oaky, and lighter.
Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less oaky.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.
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.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more aromatic.
Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Barossa Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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 less oaky, and lighter.
Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less oaky.
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 lighter, and drier.
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 fresher and more acidic, and lighter.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.
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 fresher and more acidic, and lighter.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Barossa Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
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.
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 less oaky.
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 fruitier.
Rondinella
Both are made from rondinella, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Corvinone
Both are made from corvinone, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher and more acidic.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
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 fruitier, and fresher and more acidic.
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 lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
Corvinone
Both are made from corvinone, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and earthier.
Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Barossa Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less spicy.
Alicante Bouschet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Mourvèdre
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
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 less oaky, 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.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less spicy.
Alicante Bouschet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Mourvèdre
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
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 less oaky, and lighter.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fruitier.
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 fruitier, and fresher and more acidic.
Priorat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less oaky.
Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
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.