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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 moving away from too jammy or sweet-tasting, too tart or sour-fruited and too light or thin.
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.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Priorat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Super Tuscan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.
- A little less light or thin.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.
- A little less light or thin.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.
- A little less light or thin.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.
- A little less light or thin.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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 fruitier, and more savoury.
Priorat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Super Tuscan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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 fruitier, and more savoury.
Priorat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Super Tuscan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
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.
País
País scores closest to Ciliegiolo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Tibouren
Tibouren scores closest to Ciliegiolo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Portugieser
Portugieser scores closest to Ciliegiolo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Super Tuscan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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.
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc scores closest to Ciliegiolo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Red Burgundy
Red Burgundy scores closest to Ciliegiolo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir scores closest to Ciliegiolo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Trousseau
Trousseau scores closest to Ciliegiolo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Priorat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Super Tuscan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
Barbera d’Alba
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter.
Barbera d’Asti
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Grenache Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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 fruitier, and more savoury.
Priorat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Chianti Classico
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Aglianico
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Sangiovese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Mourvèdre
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
Alicante Bouschet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Sparkling Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter.
Lambrusco
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stiller.
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 fruitier, and more savoury.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Tawny Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Priorat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Mourvèdre
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Super Tuscan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
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 lighter, and fresher.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Barolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
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.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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 fruitier, and more savoury.
Priorat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Super Tuscan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, 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 fruitier, and broader and softer.
Primitivo di Manduria
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Petite Sirah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Zinfandel
Zinfandel scores closest to Ciliegiolo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter.
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.
Priorat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Super Tuscan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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 fruitier, and more savoury.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
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.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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 fruitier, and more savoury.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Priorat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Super Tuscan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.