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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.

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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 moving away from too plain or too simple, too alcoholic or warming, 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.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

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

Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.
A little less soft or too easy.

Sangiovese

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

Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.
A little less soft or too easy.

Chianti Classico Riserva

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

Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.
A little less soft or too easy.

Rioja

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.
A little less soft or too easy.

Rioja Reserva

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.
A little less soft or too easy.

Tempranillo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.
A little less soft or too easy.

Amarone della Valpolicella

curated

The same grapes from the same hills, dried before fermentation.

Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
A little less tart or sour-fruited.
A little less soft or too easy.

Red Bordeaux

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Substantially less plain or too simple.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.
A little 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.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter in alcohol.

Sangiovese

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less oaky.

Chianti Classico Riserva

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter in alcohol.

Rioja

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and broader and softer.

Different grape, similar feel

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

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter in alcohol.

Sangiovese

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less oaky.

Chianti Classico Riserva

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter in alcohol.

Rioja

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and broader 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.

English still Pinot Noir

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Schiava

Both come from the same country.

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

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter in alcohol.

Sangiovese

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter in alcohol.

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.

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.

Chianti Classico

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Red Burgundy

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Sangiovese

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fuller and richer.

Sangiovese

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fuller and richer.

Chianti Classico Riserva

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fuller and richer.

Amarone della Valpolicella

curated

The same grapes from the same hills, dried before fermentation.

Expect: Enormously more concentrated, at 15–16% alcohol.

Similar but less tannic

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

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter in alcohol.

Sangiovese

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less oaky.

Rioja

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and broader and softer.

Chianti Classico Riserva

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter in alcohol.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter in alcohol.

Sangiovese

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less oaky.

Chianti Classico Riserva

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter in alcohol.

Rioja

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and broader and softer.

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 rounder and creamier in texture, and broader and softer.

Rioja

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and broader and softer.

Rioja Reserva

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and broader and softer.

Red Bordeaux

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter in alcohol.

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 across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.

Lambrusco

Both come from the same country.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

Both come from the same country.

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

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and stiller.

Similar but sweeter

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

Sagrantino

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Pinotage

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, 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 rounder and creamier in texture, and less oaky.

Touriga Franca

Touriga Franca scores closest to Valpolicella across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and broader and softer.

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.

Tinto Cão

Tinto Cão scores closest to Valpolicella across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Refosco

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Bobal

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Corvinone

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Rioja

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and broader and softer.

Rioja Reserva

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and broader and softer.

Tempranillo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and broader and softer.

Pinotage

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and broader 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 rounder and creamier in texture, and less oaky.

Barolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less oaky.

Barbaresco

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less oaky.

Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and broader 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.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter in alcohol.

Sangiovese

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less oaky.

Chianti Classico Riserva

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter in alcohol.

Rioja

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and broader 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 rounder and creamier in texture, and less oaky.

Barolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less oaky.

Barbaresco

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less oaky.

Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and broader and softer.

Similar but more savoury

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

Chianti Classico Riserva

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter in alcohol.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter in alcohol.

Taurasi

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more tannic and structured.

Sangiovese

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less oaky.

Similar but fruitier

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

Zinfandel

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Petite Sirah

Petite Sirah scores closest to Valpolicella across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Change the place

Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.

Same grape, cooler climate

Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.

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 rounder and creamier in texture, and less oaky.

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

curated

The same grapes from the same hills, dried before fermentation.

Expect: Enormously more concentrated, at 15–16% alcohol.

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 rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.

Valpolicella Ripasso

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Corvinone

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.

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.

Sangiovese

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less oaky.

Rioja

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and broader and softer.

Rioja Reserva

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and broader and softer.

Tempranillo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and broader and softer.

Something more adventurous

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

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter in alcohol.

Chianti Classico Riserva

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter in alcohol.

Aglianico

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more tannic and structured.

Taurasi

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more tannic and structured.

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.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter in alcohol.

Chianti Classico Riserva

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter in alcohol.

Aglianico

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more tannic and structured.

Taurasi

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more tannic and structured.

A step up

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

curated

The same grapes from the same hills, dried before fermentation.

Expect: Enormously more concentrated, at 15–16% alcohol.

Sangiovese

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less oaky.

Rioja

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and broader and softer.

Rioja Reserva

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and broader and softer.

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.