Wines Similar to Malbec: 6 Bold Reds to Try Next
If you love Malbec, you already know what you love in a wine: dark fruit, a smooth mouthfeel, enough tannin to give you that grip and clean the tongue, but not too much. Argentina's flagship red is popular for a reason. It delivers at $12–25 what you would expect out of wines several times more expensive.
The good news is that a lot of other wines scratch that same itch. Some are bolder, some softer, some trade the blueberry fruit for black pepper or smoke. All of them are worth knowing.
Here are six wines to try if Malbec is one of your favorites.
The place to start: Malbec (Mendoza, Argentina)
Malbec
Mendoza, ArgentinaFull body, firm tannin, low acidity. Blueberry, chocolate, coffee. The Argentine red that overdelivers at the price, every time.
Malbec from Mendoza is the textbook bold red for anyone who prefers dark fruit to earth, smooth tannins to grip, and everyday pleasure to occasion-wine complexity. Argentina rescued it from obscurity — the grape is technically one of Bordeaux's six permitted blending varieties, but it never found a starring role in France. In Mendoza's high-altitude vineyards, it found its thing: blueberry and plum in the foreground, chocolate and coffee underneath, tannins that are firm but never aggressive, and just enough oak to add structure without tasting like a furniture store.
It doesn't need food. It just works. That's the appeal, and it's the north star for everything below.
Our Malbec episodes:
Six wines to try next
The wines below all share many of the same things that Malbec-lovers love: dark fruit, enough body to feel substantial, and a warm, filling mouthfeel. What changes is the grape, the country, and sometimes the direction of the boldness or fruit. Some are smokier, some are jammier, some are more complex.
Syrah / Shiraz
Syrah / Shiraz
Rhone Valley, France / AustraliaFull body, firm tannin, spicy black pepper as the signature note. Blackberry, cracked pepper, violet. Malbec's more complex and spicier alternative.
What you'll recognize from Malbec: Dark fruit in the same neighborhood: blackberry, plum, black cherry. Similar body and tannin weight. The structure also lands in a comparable place.
What's different: Syrah is savory and spicy where Malbec is fruity. You'll find black pepper, smoked meat, and sometimes olive where Malbec gives you blueberry and chocolate. French Syrah from the Northern Rhône leans hard into smoke and violet. Australian Shiraz swings back toward fruit-forward with higher alcohol and more warmth. Same grape, different personality depending on where it was grown.
Try this if: You've been drinking Malbec long enough to want something with a little more going on. Syrah is the natural step up for anyone who wants bolder and darker with a bit more spice.
Our Syrah episode: Costco Kirkland Signature Syrah Challenge! — EP100
Zinfandel
Zinfandel
California, USAFull body, higher alcohol, jammy dark fruit. Blackberry jam, cinnamon, mocha. The American bold red with the highest ceiling when it's done right.
What you'll recognize from Malbec: Bold, dark fruit, that fills the mouth. The same "this wine is like a meal" energy. Medium-high tannin with a warm finish.
What's different: Zinfandel is jammier and juicier: blackberry jam, not fresh blackberry. Higher alcohol, almost always. There's a spice note running through it (cinnamon, black pepper, mocha) that Malbec doesn't carry. Quality varies a lot by producer; the best California Zins are genuinely worth hunting down. (And, yes, Zinfandel is the same grape as Primitivo, but they are different because of where and how they are made)
Try this if: You want a bolder, more American version of the bold red profile. It's especially good with BBQ ribs, pulled pork, anything with a sticky sauce.
Our Zinfandel episodes:
Grenache
Grenache
Southern France and SpainMedium-full body, lower tannin, warm fruit. Strawberry, spice, red cherry. The softer, more food-friendly path through bold red territory.
What you'll recognize from Malbec: Fruit-forward and warm, with enough body to feel substantia. Similar lower acidity. You'll still get dark fruit and a smooth finish.
What's different: Grenache is softer. Less tannin, lighter body, more strawberry and red fruit than the deep black fruit of Malbec. Spanish Garnacha is the same grape and often an excellent value. It's a friendlier, more approachable version of the bold-and-fruity category, and it has more versatility with food.
Try this if: You like Malbec's fruit and drinkability but want something a bit lighter, or something that works better at the dinner table. Grenache is the most food-flexible wine on this list. Priorat is our favorite.
Our Grenache episodes:
Nero d'Avola
Nero d'Avola
Sicily, ItalyFull body, firm tannin, dark Sicilian fruit with an edge. Blackberry, plum, warm spice. Italy's answer to bold red at an honest price.
What you'll recognize from Malbec: Similar dark fruit character, blackberry, plum, with similar body and warmth.
What's different: Nero d'Avola is Sicilian, and it shows. There's a spice and herbal note that Malbec doesn't have. It also is a bit less oaky depending on the producers. The tannins show up, but the structure is a bit more angular; it's not quite as smooth straight out of the bottle as a good Mendoza Malbec.
Try this if: You want a value pick with dark fruit that has some regional character. Good entry point for anyone curious about Italian red wine and who wants to stay in a safer place than Barolo or Aglianico.
Our Nero d'Avola episode: Italian Wine Adventure #20: Nero d’Avola!
Pinotage
Pinotage
South AfricaFull body, firm tannin, smoky dark fruit as the signature. Blackberry, coffee, wood smoke. South Africa's bold red that tastes like it was made for the grill.
What you'll recognize from Malbec: Dark fruit and a bold body with similar tannin structure. Not our favorite wine, but many people appreciate its unique complexity.
What's different: Pinotage has a signature smokiness, and sometimes even tastes like smoked meat. It's South Africa's own grape, a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault, and it carries a slightly earthy, funky character that splits opinion. Some people love it immediately. Some people need a bottle to warm up to it. The smoke is real and intentional. Coffee Pinotage is a trip.
Try this if: You want something adventurous with Malbec's weight but its own distinct personality. It's especially at home with grilled meat.
Our Pinotage episode: WTF is Pinotage? (And WTF is Coffee Pinotage? South Africa’s signature wine)
Primitivo
Primitivo
Puglia, ItalyFull body, rich and warming, jammy dark fruit. Dried fig, blackberry jam, black pepper. Malbec's Italian twin and often the best value on the shelf.
What you'll recognize from Malbec: Almost everything. Same bold, fruit-forward style, similar tannin, similar warmth. This is the closest thing to a direct swap on the list.
What's different: Primitivo is genetically identical to Zinfandel and comes from Puglia in southern Italy. Where Malbec runs toward blueberry and chocolate, Primitivo leans into dried fig, blackberry jam, and black pepper. Higher alcohol and a richer finish. Italian character where Malbec has Argentine character.
Try this if: You want something extremely close to Malbec in weight and style but with a different address on the label. It's also often the best value on this list. Solid bottles under $15 are common.
Our Primitivo episode: Italian Wine Adventure #18: Primitivo!
Food pairings that work across the group
Malbec's profile: dark fruit, medium-high tannin, lower acidity makes it a natural match with grilled and roasted red meats, as well as cured meats. The tannin grips fat, the fruit plays off charred edges, and the smoky side of a good Malbec mirrors the smoke from the grill. That logic transfers to every wine on this list.
Where Grenache and Nero d'Avola offer more acidity, you get more flexibility with food. They'll hold up alongside pasta and lighter dishes where a full Malbec might overpower.
Pairings that work for all six:
Steak: grilled, roasted, or braised
BBQ ribs, brisket, pulled pork
Lamb chops or leg of lamb
Empanadas, especially beef
Hard aged cheese like manchego, aged cheddar, pecorino
Mushroom-heavy dishes such as risotto, pasta, grain bowls
Listen to the episodes
We've tasted most of these wines on the show. Good places to start:
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What wine is similar to Malbec but lighter?
A. Grenache. It keeps the fruit-forward, low-acidity profile that makes Malbec easy to drink but with less tannin and a bit more lift. Spanish Garnacha is the same grape, often cheaper, and works everywhere Malbec does. If you want Malbec's approachability without quite as much weight, Grenache is the right answer.
Q. Is Malbec similar to Cabernet Sauvignon?
A. Sort of. They're in the same family in that they are both bold reds with dark fruit and tannin, but Cabernet is significantly firmer and more punch-you-in-the-face. Malbec is smoother and more immediately approachable. If you find Cab to be too much, Malbec is the friendlier version. They're also related: Malbec is actually one of the six grapes permitted in Bordeaux blends alongside Cabernet.
Q. What's the difference between Malbec and Syrah?
A. Malbec is fruitier and smoother; Syrah is spicier and more complex. Both are bold and dark-fruited, but Syrah adds black pepper, smoked meat, and sometimes olive. If you've been drinking Malbec for a while and want something that rewards more attention, Syrah is the natural next step.
Q. Are there good Malbec alternatives under $15?
A. Yes. Primitivo from Puglia is genetically the same grape as Zinfandel and drinks like a richer Malbec cousin. Solid bottles regularly come in under $15. Nero d'Avola from Sicily is another strong dark-fruit pick in that range.
Q. Can you drink Malbec with fish?
A. You can, but it's not the best match. The tannin and dark fruit tend to overwhelm delicate seafood. If you want a red with fish, Grenache is the better call because it is lighter, more acidic, less likely to fight the food. If it's grilled swordfish or salmon, you might get away with Malbec, but Grenache handles it more cleanly.