If you like this, try…
Wines like Colorino
A Tuscan teinturier variety historically used to deepen the colour of Chianti. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Colorino?
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 firm, grippy structure
- High tannin — the drying grip on your gums, like over-brewed tea. It gives a red something to hold on to with rich food, and it is what lets a wine age.
- That it is not too strong
- Alcohol you notice as warmth at the back of the throat. Some people find it a pleasant part of a big red and some find it tiring.
- 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.
- 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 drying or too tannic and 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.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less austere.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less austere.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less austere.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less austere.
Corvinone
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less austere.
Dornfelder
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less austere.
Rondo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less austere.
Corvina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- 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.
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 less tannic and softer, and more savoury.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier.
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.
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 less tannic and softer, and more savoury.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Portugieser
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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 less tannic and softer.
English still Pinot Noir
English still Pinot Noir scores closest to Colorino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.
Grolleau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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 less tannic and softer.
English still Pinot Noir
English still Pinot Noir scores closest to Colorino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Trebbiano Toscano
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 lighter.
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 fruitier.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Valpolicella Ripasso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.
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 Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more savoury.
Valpolicella Ripasso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Sagrantino
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.
Touriga Nacional
Touriga Nacional scores closest to Colorino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.
Montefalco Sagrantino
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and drier.
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.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Chianti
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Barbera
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Areni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Valpolicella
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
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 fruitier.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Zinfandel
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.
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.
Sparkling Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stiller.
English sparkling rosé
English sparkling rosé scores closest to Colorino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
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.
Sparkling Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and more oaky.
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 less tannic and softer, and more savoury.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more floral.
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 tannic and softer.
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc scores closest to Colorino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more herbal and green.
Gamay
Gamay scores closest to Colorino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir scores closest to Colorino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.
Trebbiano Toscano
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 lighter.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more oaky.
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.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fuller and richer.
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 tannic and structured, and more oaky.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more herbal and green.
Gamay
Gamay scores closest to Colorino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Chianti
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Areni
Areni scores closest to Colorino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir scores closest to Colorino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Red Burgundy
Red Burgundy scores closest to Colorino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
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.
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 fuller and richer.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Change the place
Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
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.
Chianti Classico
Both are made from colorino, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
Both are made from colorino, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
Both are made from colorino, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
Chianti Classico
Both are made from colorino, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
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 fuller and richer.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
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.
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 less tannic and softer, and more savoury.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier.
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.
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 less tannic and softer, and more savoury.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
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.