If you like this, try…

Wines like Valpolicella

Light, high-acid, sour-cherry red from the hills north of Verona — the fresh counterpart to Amarone. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

← Back to Valpolicella

Refine

What do you like about Valpolicella?

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.

I like…

The bright red fruit How light it is How fresh and crisp it is How smooth and soft it is

But it’s a bit…

too tart or sour-fruited too light or thin too sharp or acidic too soft or too easy too alcoholic or warming too plain or too simple

Clear all

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 light it is: A wine you can drink without it feeling like a commitment. Usually lower in alcohol as well as lighter in the mouth.
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.
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.
That it is not too strong: Alcohol you notice as warmth at the back of the throat. Some people find it a pleasant part of a big red and some find it tiring.
That it is not oaky: No barrel character — just the fruit and the acidity. Chablis and Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc are the reference points.

Looking for something keeping how light and easy it feels, while 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.

Beaujolais

curated

Both are light, high-acid, red-fruited wines made for immediate drinking.

Keeps how light and easy it feels.
A little less sharp or acidic.

País

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Keeps how light and easy it feels.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Cinsault

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps how light and easy it feels.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Tibouren

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps how light and easy it feels.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Portugieser

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps how light and easy it feels.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Grolleau

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps how light and easy it feels.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Poulsard

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps how light and easy it feels.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.

Schiava

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Keeps how light and easy it feels.
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.

Beaujolais

curated

Both are light, high-acid, red-fruited wines made for immediate drinking.

Expect: More granitic and floral, with banana notes if carbonic.

País

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more restrained in fruit.

Cinsault

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less oaky.

Tibouren

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and less oaky.

Different grape, similar feel

Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.

País

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more restrained in fruit.

Cinsault

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less oaky.

Tibouren

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and less oaky.

Portugieser

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and sweeter.

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.

Schiava

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

Poulsard

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and earthier.

English still Pinot Noir

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.

Grolleau

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and sweeter.

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.

English still Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter in alcohol.

Mantinia Moschofilero

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher.

Moschofilero

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher.

Grolleau

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and sweeter.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

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 fuller and richer, and broader and softer.

Muscat Bailey A

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 sweeter.

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

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 earthier.

Colorino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.

Similar but less tannic

For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.

Roditis

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.

Phoenix

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and sweeter.

Trebbiano Romagnolo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more restrained in fruit.

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and sweeter.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Colorino

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 broader and softer.

Fer Servadou

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more herbal and green.

Dolcetto

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fuller and richer.

Rondinella

Both are made from rondinella, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.

Similar but softer

Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.

Cinsault

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less oaky.

Grolleau

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and sweeter.

Muscat Bailey A

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 sweeter.

País

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and leaner and more cutting.

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 fuller and richer, and fresher.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fresher.

Sparkling Shiraz

Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Valpolicella across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Glera

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more floral.

Similar but sweeter

Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.

Grolleau

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less oaky.

Portugieser

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less oaky.

Rondinella

Both are made from rondinella, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.

Muscat Bailey A

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 more aromatic.

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.

País

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more restrained in fruit.

Cinsault

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more fruit-driven.

Tibouren

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Portugieser

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and sweeter.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

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 less oaky.

Pinot Noir

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.

Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir

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.

Egri Bikavér

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.

Cabernet Franc

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more herbal and green.

Pinot Noir

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and earthier.

Muscat Bailey A

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 sweeter.

Gamay

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, 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.

Koshu

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more restrained in fruit.

Trebbiano Toscano

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and sweeter.

Trebbiano d’Abruzzo

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 less tannic and softer.

Vernaccia di San Gimignano

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 less tannic and softer.

Similar but more floral

Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.

Cinsault

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less oaky.

Cabernet Franc

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more herbal and green.

Pinot Noir

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and earthier.

Beaujolais

curated

Both are light, high-acid, red-fruited wines made for immediate drinking.

Expect: More granitic and floral, with banana notes if carbonic.

Similar but more savoury

Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.

Pinot Noir

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and earthier.

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

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 more floral.

Dão

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Australian Pinot Noir

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 fruitier

More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

California Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Valpolicella across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.

Zinfandel

Zinfandel scores closest to Valpolicella across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

California Pinot Noir

California Pinot Noir scores closest to Valpolicella across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

California Rhône blend

California Rhône blend scores closest to Valpolicella across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

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.

Molinara

Both are made from molinara, 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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.

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 stronger and warmer.

Valpolicella Ripasso

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 stronger and warmer.

Same grape, warmer climate

Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.

Rondinella

Both are made from rondinella, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.

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 stronger and warmer.

Valpolicella Ripasso

Both are made from corvina, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Corvinone

Both are made from corvinone, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader 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.

Beaujolais

curated

Both are light, high-acid, red-fruited wines made for immediate drinking.

Expect: More granitic and floral, with banana notes if carbonic.

Cabernet Franc

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more herbal and green.

Pinot Noir

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and earthier.

Gamay

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fresher.

Something more adventurous

Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.

País

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more restrained in fruit.

Cinsault

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less oaky.

Tibouren

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and less oaky.

Portugieser

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and sweeter.

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.

País

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more restrained in fruit.

Cinsault

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less oaky.

Tibouren

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and less oaky.

Portugieser

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and sweeter.

A step up

The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.

Pinot Noir

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and earthier.

Cabernet Franc

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more herbal and green.

Red Bordeaux

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

New Zealand Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

How these are chosen

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.