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 plain or too simple.
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.
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 plain or too simple.
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 plain or too simple.
Egri Bikavér
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Rioja Crianza
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Barbera
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 plain or too simple.
Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
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 spicier, and fuller and richer.
Corvina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and sweeter.
Egri Bikavér
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fruitier.
Rioja Crianza
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fuller and richer.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
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 spicier, and fuller and richer.
Corvina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and sweeter.
Egri Bikavér
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fruitier.
Rioja Crianza
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fuller and richer.
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.
English still Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less tannic and softer.
Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less tannic and softer.
País
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less tannic and softer.
Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less oaky.
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.
English still Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less tannic and softer.
Schiava
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less tannic and softer.
Grolleau
Grolleau scores closest to Colorino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less tannic and softer.
Koshu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less oaky.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Agiorgitiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fruitier.
Alentejo red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and softer and rounder.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more floral.
Barbera d’Alba
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 fruitier.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Agiorgitiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fuller and richer.
Alentejo red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fuller and richer.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more floral.
Barbera d’Alba
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 structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Aglianico
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and earthier.
Montefalco Sagrantino
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.
Taurasi
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more savoury.
Brunello di Montalcino
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more savoury.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Barbera
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 fresher.
Barbera d’Alba
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 fruitier.
Barbera d’Asti
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 fresher.
Oregon Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more savoury.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Agiorgitiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fuller and richer.
Alentejo red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fuller and richer.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more floral.
California Rhône blend
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fruitier.
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 sweeter, and fruitier.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and stiller.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and stiller.
English sparkling rosé
English sparkling rosé scores closest to Colorino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less oaky.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Corvina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fuller and richer.
Late Bottled Vintage Port
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fuller and richer.
Primitivo
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.
Sparkling Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and sweeter.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Agiorgitiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fuller and richer.
Alentejo red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fuller and richer.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more floral.
Barbera
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 fresher.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more savoury.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more herbal and green.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less tannic and softer.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and spicier.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and sweeter.
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 more aromatic, and spicier.
Corvina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and spicier.
Egri Bikavér
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and spicier.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more savoury.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and earthier.
Red Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more savoury.
Oregon Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more savoury.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and earthier.
Red Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and earthier.
Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
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 fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Zinfandel
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fruitier.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
California Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.
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 fuller and richer.
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 more tannic and structured, and fresher and more acidic.
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 more tannic and structured, and fresher and more acidic.
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.
Rioja Crianza
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fuller and richer.
Barbera
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 fresher.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more savoury.
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 spicier, and fuller and richer.
Corvina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and sweeter.
Egri Bikavér
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fruitier.
Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and earthier.
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 spicier, and fuller and richer.
Corvina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and sweeter.
Egri Bikavér
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fruitier.
Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and earthier.
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 fuller and richer, and more floral.
California Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.
New Zealand Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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.