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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 jammy or sweet-tasting 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.
Colorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- A little less soft or too easy.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- A little less soft or too easy.
Refosco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- A little less soft or too easy.
Nero di Troia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- A little less soft or too easy.
Bobal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- A little less soft or too easy.
Carignan
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of that the fruit is not covered in oak, though less of it.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- A little less soft or too easy.
Cahors
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of that the fruit is not covered in oak, though less of it.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- A little less soft or too easy.
Etna Rosso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Has some of that the fruit is not covered in oak, though less of it.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
- 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.
Colorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more fruit-driven.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more fruit-driven.
Refosco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
Nero di Troia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Colorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more fruit-driven.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more fruit-driven.
Refosco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
Nero di Troia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
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.
Poulsard
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter.
País
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and earthier.
Schiava
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more fruit-driven.
Tibouren
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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.
Mondeuse Noire
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
English still Pinot Noir
English still Pinot Noir scores closest to Ciliegiolo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more oaky.
Fer Servadou
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
País
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and earthier.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Refosco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
Nero di Troia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
Bobal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
Carignan
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Tibouren
Tibouren scores closest to Ciliegiolo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Molinara
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more fruit-driven.
Grolleau
Grolleau scores closest to Ciliegiolo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more fruit-driven.
Portugieser
Portugieser scores closest to Ciliegiolo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Aglianico
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
Baga
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Etna Rosso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more oaky.
Nerello Mascalese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more oaky.
Baga
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
Bairrada Baga
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Canaiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Mourvèdre
Mourvèdre scores closest to Ciliegiolo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Dolcetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more oaky.
Languedoc red
Languedoc red scores closest to Ciliegiolo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Lambrusco
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
Sparkling Shiraz
Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Ciliegiolo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more oaky.
Colorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stiller.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more fruit-driven.
Rondinella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more fruit-driven.
Sagrantino
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Carignan
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less tannic and softer.
Etna Rosso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less tannic and softer.
Nerello Mascalese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less tannic and softer.
Cahors
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
Barolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more oaky.
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.
Colorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more fruit-driven.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more fruit-driven.
Refosco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
Nero di Troia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
Cahors
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Carignan
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more oaky.
Etna Rosso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less tannic and softer.
Nerello Mascalese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less tannic and softer.
Cahors
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more oaky.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Petite Sirah
Petite Sirah scores closest to Ciliegiolo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more oaky.
Colorino
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 fruit-driven.
Fer Servadou
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less tannic and softer.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more fruit-driven.
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.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
Barolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
Sangiovese
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less tannic and softer.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Colorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more fruit-driven.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more fruit-driven.
Refosco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
Nero di Troia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
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.
Colorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more fruit-driven.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more fruit-driven.
Refosco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
Nero di Troia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
Barolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
Sangiovese
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less tannic and softer.
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.