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Wines like Ciliegiolo
A Tuscan variety closely related to Sangiovese, giving soft, cherry-scented wines. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
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What do you like about Ciliegiolo?
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 rich dark fruit
- Blackberry, plum, black cherry — fruit that tastes ripe and generous rather than tart. It comes from warm-climate ripening and it is what most people mean when they call a red "fruity".
- 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 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 oaky
- No barrel character — just the fruit and the acidity. Chablis and Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc are the reference points.
- That it is properly dry
- No perceptible sugar at all. Almost all red wine is dry and a good deal of white wine is not, which is why this is a more useful thing to say about a white than about a red.
Looking for something keeping the rich, ripe dark fruit, while moving away from too austere and too plain or too simple.
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.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Has some of the rich, ripe dark fruit, though less of it.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Corvina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Has some of the rich, ripe dark fruit, though less of it.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fuller and richer.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fuller and richer.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Corvina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fuller and richer.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fuller and richer.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Corvina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
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.
Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Valpolicella
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Grolleau
Grolleau scores closest to Ciliegiolo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Portugieser
Portugieser scores closest to Ciliegiolo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
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.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more sparkling.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more tannic and structured.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Barbera d’Alba
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Barbera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Barbera d’Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more tannic and structured.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fuller and richer.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Barbera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Barbera d’Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Oregon Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Sparkling Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and stiller.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
English sparkling rosé
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
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 more savoury, and fuller and richer.
Sparkling Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more sparkling.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fuller and richer.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Primitivo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Primitivo di Manduria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fuller and richer.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Syrah
Syrah scores closest to Ciliegiolo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more savoury.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fuller and richer.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Corvina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fuller and richer.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fuller and richer.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and drier.
Corvina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and drier.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and drier.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
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.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fuller and richer.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fuller and richer.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Corvina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
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.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fuller and richer.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fuller and richer.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Corvina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and drier.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Rioja Crianza
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
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.