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.
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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 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.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Primitivo
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 light or thin.
Nero d’Avola
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 light or thin.
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 light or thin.
Corvina
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 light or thin.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
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 light or thin.
Montepulciano
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 light or thin.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially 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.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more floral.
Primitivo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more oaky.
Nero d’Avola
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Corvinone
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more floral.
Primitivo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more oaky.
Nero d’Avola
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Corvinone
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.
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
Grolleau scores closest to Colorino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Cinsault
Cinsault scores closest to Colorino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Valpolicella
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Frappato
Both come from the same country.
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.
Grolleau
Grolleau scores closest to Colorino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Corvina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Barbera d’Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more floral.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more floral.
Primitivo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more oaky.
Super Tuscan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
Nero d’Avola
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more floral.
Primitivo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more oaky.
Nero d’Avola
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Montefalco Sagrantino
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and stronger and warmer.
Tannat
Tannat scores closest to Colorino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
Madiran
Madiran scores closest to Colorino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
Sagrantino
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and stronger and warmer.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Barbera d’Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Barbera d’Alba
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
Both are made from colorino, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and lighter.
Chianti Classico
Both are made from colorino, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more tannic and structured.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more floral.
Primitivo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more oaky.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Sparkling Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.
Lambrusco
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and stronger and warmer.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Late Bottled Vintage Port
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and sweeter.
Vin Doux Naturel
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and sweeter.
Primitivo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more oaky.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fruitier.
Primitivo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fruitier.
Nero d’Avola
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and spicier.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and earthier.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and lighter.
Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and lighter.
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc scores closest to Colorino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
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.
Primitivo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more aromatic.
Nero d’Avola
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more aromatic.
Corvinone
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more aromatic.
Corvina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more aromatic.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
Australian Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more floral.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and lighter.
Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and stronger and warmer.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Rioja Gran Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
New Zealand Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
California Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Primitivo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more oaky.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and stronger and warmer.
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 Gran Selezione
Both are made from colorino, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more tannic and structured.
Chianti Classico
Both are made from colorino, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more tannic and structured.
Chianti Classico
Both are made from colorino, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more floral.
Primitivo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more oaky.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Nero d’Avola
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Corvinone
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.
Corvina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
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.
Nero d’Avola
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Corvinone
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.
Corvina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more floral.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Rioja Crianza
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.