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 keeping that the fruit is not covered in oak, while moving away from 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.
Corvinone
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Refosco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Nero di Troia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Bobal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Cornalin
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Trincadeira
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Graciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Broad-leaved Melnik
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- 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.
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.
Refosco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
Nero di Troia
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.
Bobal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
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.
Refosco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
Nero di Troia
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.
Bobal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.
Grolleau
Grolleau scores closest to Colorino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Molinara
Both come from the same country.
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 lighter in alcohol.
Corvinone
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.
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.
Refosco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
Bobal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Cornalin
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and stronger and warmer.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.
Alicante Bouschet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and stronger and warmer.
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 lighter, and sweeter.
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.
Trincadeira
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and spicier.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, 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.
Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
Madiran
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and stronger and warmer.
Petit Verdot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more floral.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Refosco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
Graciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more floral.
Rosso di Montalcino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Saperavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
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 lighter, and sweeter.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and stronger and warmer.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Montepulciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
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
Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Colorino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and lighter.
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.
Corvinone
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and stiller.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.
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 fruitier.
Vintage Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and stronger and warmer.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and stronger and warmer.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and stronger and warmer.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and lighter.
Montepulciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and lighter.
Negroamaro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and lighter.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Morgon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Barbaresco
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and lighter.
Nebbiolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and lighter.
Barolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and lighter.
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.
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.
Refosco
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.
Nero di Troia
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.
Bobal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more aromatic.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Graciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Cahors
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Petit Verdot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more floral.
Malbec
Malbec scores closest to Colorino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and lighter.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Broad-leaved Melnik
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
Cahors
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and stronger and warmer.
Carignan
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
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.
Trincadeira
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and spicier.
Graciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more floral.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.
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.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
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.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and stronger and warmer.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and stronger and warmer.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
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.
Refosco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
Nero di Troia
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.
Bobal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.
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.
Refosco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
Nero di Troia
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.
Bobal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and stronger and warmer.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more floral.
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.