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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 that the fruit is not covered in oak, while moving away from too austere.
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.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less austere.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less austere.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less austere.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less austere.
Corvinone
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less austere.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less austere.
Dornfelder
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less austere.
Rondo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less austere.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and fresher.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more restrained in fruit.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, 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.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and fresher.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more restrained in fruit.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, 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.
Grolleau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Portugieser
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Schiava
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Molinara
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and fresher.
Grolleau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
Dornfelder
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more floral.
Rondo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more herbal and green.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Corvinone
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and leaner and more cutting.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more floral.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and broader and softer.
Grolleau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
Portugieser
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more tannic and structured.
Touriga Nacional
Touriga Nacional scores closest to Ciliegiolo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more tannic and structured.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more floral.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Molinara
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Mondeuse Noire
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Graciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more floral.
Saperavi
Saperavi scores closest to Ciliegiolo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
Portugieser
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Primitivo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
Zinfandel
Zinfandel scores closest to Ciliegiolo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and fresher.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stiller.
Sparkling Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more floral.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and fresher.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and broader and softer.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more restrained in fruit.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
Touriga Franca
Touriga Franca scores closest to Ciliegiolo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more floral.
Saperavi
Saperavi scores closest to Ciliegiolo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
Touriga Nacional
Touriga Nacional scores closest to Ciliegiolo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.
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 more oaky.
Scheurebe
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less tannic and softer.
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 more aromatic, and less tannic and softer.
Muscat of Alexandria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and softer and rounder.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Trebbiano Toscano
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 more restrained in fruit.
Seyval Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and more aromatic.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more tannic and structured.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Dornfelder
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more floral.
Touriga Nacional
Touriga Nacional scores closest to Ciliegiolo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more floral.
Jaen
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fruitier.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.
Saperavi
Saperavi scores closest to Ciliegiolo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
País
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Primitivo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
Zinfandel
Zinfandel scores closest to Ciliegiolo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
Primitivo di Manduria
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
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 more floral, 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.
Primitivo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
Zinfandel
Zinfandel scores closest to Ciliegiolo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter in alcohol.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and fresher.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more restrained in fruit.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and broader and softer.
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.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and fresher.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more restrained in fruit.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and broader and softer.
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 oaky, and drier.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Grenache
Grenache scores closest to Ciliegiolo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Southern Rhône blend
Southern Rhône blend scores closest to Ciliegiolo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
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.