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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 soft or too easy and too tart or sour-fruited.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less soft or too easy.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Aglianico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less soft or too easy.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less soft or too easy.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less soft or too easy.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Taurasi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less soft or too easy.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Madiran
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less soft or too easy.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Barbaresco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less soft or too easy.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less soft or too easy.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Aglianico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Aglianico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, 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.
País
País scores closest to Ciliegiolo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Schiava
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Grolleau
Grolleau scores closest to Ciliegiolo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Portugieser
Portugieser scores closest to Ciliegiolo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
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.
Fer Servadou
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fresher.
Mondeuse Noire
Mondeuse Noire scores closest to Ciliegiolo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less tannic and softer.
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc scores closest to Ciliegiolo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fresher.
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir scores closest to Ciliegiolo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fresher.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Mavrud
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.
Mourvèdre
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, 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.
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.
Mavrud
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fuller and richer.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
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 fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Tannat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Madiran
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Aglianico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Taurasi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Barbaresco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
Sparkling Shiraz
Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Ciliegiolo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
Lambrusco
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fresher.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fresher.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and fuller and richer.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fresher.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Mavrud
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Petit Verdot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fuller and richer.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Barbaresco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Barolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Aglianico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Barbaresco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Barolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Aglianico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Barbaresco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Taurasi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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 rounder and creamier in texture.
Primitivo di Manduria
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
California Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Ciliegiolo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less tannic and softer.
Zinfandel
Zinfandel scores closest to Ciliegiolo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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.
Barbaresco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Barolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Aglianico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, 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.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Aglianico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Barbaresco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Barolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
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.