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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 heavy and too soft or too easy.
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.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less soft or too easy.
Naoussa Xinomavro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- A little less heavy.
- Substantially less soft or too easy.
Xinomavro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- A little less heavy.
- Substantially less soft or too easy.
Colorino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less soft or too easy.
Mondeuse Noire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less soft or too easy.
Fer Servadou
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less soft or too easy.
Langhe Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- A little less heavy.
- Substantially less soft or too easy.
Blaufränkisch
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- A little less heavy.
- Substantially less soft or too easy.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
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 tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Naoussa Xinomavro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and earthier.
Xinomavro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and earthier.
Colorino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
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 tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Naoussa Xinomavro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and earthier.
Xinomavro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and earthier.
Colorino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
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 sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Colorino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Mondeuse Noire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and drier.
Fer Servadou
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, 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.
Mondeuse Noire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and drier.
Fer Servadou
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more herbal and green.
Cru Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more floral.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more floral.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Petit Verdot
Petit Verdot scores closest to Valpolicella Ripasso across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Touriga Nacional
Touriga Nacional scores closest to Valpolicella Ripasso across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Priorat
Priorat scores closest to Valpolicella Ripasso across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Toro
Toro scores closest to Valpolicella Ripasso across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
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.
Naoussa Xinomavro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and earthier.
Dolcetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Xinomavro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and earthier.
Colorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Naoussa Xinomavro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and earthier.
Xinomavro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and earthier.
Aglianico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Dolcetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Naoussa Xinomavro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and earthier.
Xinomavro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and earthier.
Mondeuse Noire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and drier.
Langhe Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Languedoc red
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less tannic and softer.
Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less tannic and softer.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less tannic and softer.
Malbec
Malbec scores closest to Valpolicella Ripasso across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less tannic and softer.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stiller.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stiller.
Sparkling Shiraz
Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Valpolicella Ripasso across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fuller and richer.
Dolcetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stiller.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
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 tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Naoussa Xinomavro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and earthier.
Xinomavro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and earthier.
Colorino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more sparkling.
Touriga Franca
Touriga Franca scores closest to Valpolicella Ripasso across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less tannic and softer.
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.
Colorino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Mondeuse Noire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and drier.
Fer Servadou
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more herbal and green.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Brunello di Montalcino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Rioja
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less tannic and softer.
Mavrud
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Rioja Reserva
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
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 stronger and warmer.
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 stronger and warmer.
Barbaresco
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.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and earthier.
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.
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 tannic and softer, and more aromatic.
Colorino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more aromatic.
Mondeuse Noire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more aromatic.
Fer Servadou
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more aromatic.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Naoussa Xinomavro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and earthier.
Xinomavro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and earthier.
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 stronger and warmer.
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 stronger and warmer.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Naoussa Xinomavro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and earthier.
Xinomavro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and earthier.
Etna Rosso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.
Dão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Petite Sirah
Petite Sirah scores closest to Valpolicella Ripasso across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Touriga Nacional
Touriga Nacional scores closest to Valpolicella Ripasso across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
California Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Valpolicella Ripasso across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fuller and richer.
Zinfandel
Zinfandel scores closest to Valpolicella Ripasso across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic 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.
Valpolicella
Both are made from corvina, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter.
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 tannic and softer, and softer and rounder.
Corvina
Both are made from corvina, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fuller and richer.
Corvinone
Both are made from corvinone, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, 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 both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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 tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.
Corvina
Both are made from corvina, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fuller and richer.
Corvinone
Both are made from corvinone, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fuller and richer.
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.
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 stronger and warmer.
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 stronger and warmer.
Cru Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more floral.
Barbaresco
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.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
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 tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Naoussa Xinomavro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and earthier.
Xinomavro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and earthier.
Colorino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
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.
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 tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Naoussa Xinomavro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and earthier.
Xinomavro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and earthier.
Colorino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
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 less tannic and softer.
Priorat
Priorat scores closest to Valpolicella Ripasso across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Both are made from corvina, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Super Tuscan
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less tannic and softer.
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.