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 alcoholic or warming and too jammy or sweet-tasting.
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.
Chianti Classico
Both are made from colorino, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Both come from the same country.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Chianti
Both come from the same country.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Etna Rosso
Both come from the same country.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Nerello Mascalese
Both come from the same country.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Carignan
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Dão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Chianti Classico
Both are made from colorino, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Chianti
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Etna Rosso
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Chianti
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Etna Rosso
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Nerello Mascalese
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
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.
Poulsard
Poulsard scores closest to Colorino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
País
País scores closest to Colorino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Tibouren
Tibouren scores closest to Colorino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Molinara
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
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.
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 lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Nebbiolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Chianti
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more herbal and green.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more herbal and green.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Chianti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Rioja Gran Reserva
Rioja Gran Reserva scores closest to Colorino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, 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 fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Nebbiolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Baga
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Bairrada Baga
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
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 fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Chianti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Etna Rosso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
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 fruitier, and more savoury.
Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more herbal and green.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Jumilla Monastrell
Jumilla Monastrell scores closest to Colorino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
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 fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Lambrusco
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Chianti Classico
Both are made from colorino, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stiller.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Sagrantino
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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 fruitier, and more savoury.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Nebbiolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Barbaresco
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Barolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fruitier.
Malbec
Malbec scores closest to Colorino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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.
Palomino Fino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter in alcohol.
Chianti Classico
Both are made from colorino, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Chianti
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Nebbiolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Barbaresco
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Barolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fruitier.
Etna Rosso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Chianti Classico
Both are made from colorino, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fruitier.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fruitier.
Chianti
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fruitier.
Etna Rosso
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fruitier.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Corvinone
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Ciliegiolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Nerello Cappuccio
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Piedirosso
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
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.
Chianti Classico
Both are made from colorino, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Chianti
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Sangiovese
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more herbal and green.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Etna Rosso
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Nerello Mascalese
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Carignan
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
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.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Etna Rosso
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Nerello Mascalese
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Carignan
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Chianti Classico
Both are made from colorino, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Sangiovese
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Rioja
Rioja scores closest to Colorino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter in alcohol.
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.