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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, too plain or too simple, too tart or sour-fruited 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.
Tannat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- More heavy, not less.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less soft or too easy.
Madiran
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- More heavy, not less.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less soft or too easy.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- About as heavy as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- A little less soft or too easy.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- About as heavy as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- A little less soft or too easy.
Super Tuscan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- More heavy, not less.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- A little less soft or too easy.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- More heavy, not less.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less soft or too easy.
Aglianico
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- About as heavy as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less soft or too easy.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- More heavy, not less.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- 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.
Tannat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and stronger and warmer.
Madiran
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and stronger and warmer.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Tannat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and stronger and warmer.
Madiran
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and stronger and warmer.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
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 tannic and softer.
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 tannic and softer.
Colorino
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.
Red Burgundy
Red Burgundy scores closest to Valpolicella Ripasso across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir scores closest to Valpolicella Ripasso across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
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 tannic and softer.
Cru Beaujolais
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Super Tuscan
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 rounder and creamier in texture.
Priorat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and stronger and warmer.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.
Barbera d’Alba
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter.
Rioja Gran Reserva
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter.
Rioja
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 lighter.
Rioja Reserva
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 lighter.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Tannat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and stronger and warmer.
Madiran
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and stronger and warmer.
Aglianico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Taurasi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Baga
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Bairrada Baga
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Naoussa Xinomavro
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Aglianico
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 softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Barossa Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Sparkling Shiraz
Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Valpolicella Ripasso across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
Lambrusco
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Tannat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and less oaky.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Tannat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and stronger and warmer.
Madiran
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and stronger and warmer.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less oaky.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Rondinella
Both are made from rondinella, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Nero di Troia
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Broad-leaved Melnik
Broad-leaved Melnik 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 lighter, and less tannic and softer.
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 lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Super Tuscan
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 rounder and creamier in texture.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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 lighter, and less oaky.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
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.
Tannat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and stronger and warmer.
Madiran
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and stronger and warmer.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Taurasi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Petite Sirah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stronger and warmer.
Bolgheri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less tannic and softer.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
California Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Valpolicella Ripasso across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less tannic 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.
Valpolicella
Both are made from corvina, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Corvina
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 both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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 fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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 rounder and creamier in texture.
Corvina
Both are made from corvina, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter.
Corvinone
Both are made from corvinone, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less tannic and softer.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Super Tuscan
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 rounder and creamier in texture.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Tannat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and stronger and warmer.
Madiran
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and stronger and warmer.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less oaky.
Aglianico
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.
Tannat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and stronger and warmer.
Madiran
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and stronger and warmer.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less oaky.
Aglianico
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
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 less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Priorat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and stronger and warmer.
Super Tuscan
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 rounder and creamier in texture.
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 rounder and creamier in texture.
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.