If you like this, try…
Wines like Frappato
A pale, intensely floral Sicilian variety making light, fragrant reds best served slightly chilled. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Frappato?
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 bright red fruit
- Raspberry, redcurrant, sour cherry — lighter and sharper than dark fruit, usually from a cooler place or an earlier picking.
- 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.
- How smooth and soft it is
- Low tannin. Tannin is the drying, gum-gripping sensation in red wine — like strong tea. A smooth red has little of it.
- How fresh and crisp it is
- Acidity is what makes your mouth water and makes a wine feel refreshing rather than heavy. It is the single most useful thing to know about your own taste.
- 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.
- That it is not oaky
- No barrel character — just the fruit and the acidity. Chablis and Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc are the reference points.
- The floral character
- Rose, violet, elderflower, orange blossom.
Looking for something keeping how smooth and easy it is to drink and the floral, perfumed side, while moving away from too tart or sour-fruited.
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.
Schiava
curatedA comparably delicate, pale red.
- Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
- Has noticeably less of the floral, perfumed side.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Négrette
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of how smooth and easy it is to drink, though less of it.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.
Gamay
curatedBoth are pale, light, juicy reds that benefit from a chill.
- Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
- Has noticeably less of the floral, perfumed side.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
Both are made from frappato, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
- Has some of how smooth and easy it is to drink, though less of it.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of how smooth and easy it is to drink, though less of it.
- Has noticeably less of the floral, perfumed side.
- Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.
Canaiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Has some of how smooth and easy it is to drink, though less of it.
- Has noticeably less of the floral, perfumed side.
- Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of how smooth and easy it is to drink, though less of it.
- Has noticeably less of the floral, perfumed side.
- Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.
Cinsault
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
- Has noticeably less of the floral, perfumed side.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Schiava
curatedA comparably delicate, pale red.
Expect: Lighter still, with an almond note.
Négrette
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and broader and softer.
Gamay
curatedBoth are pale, light, juicy reds that benefit from a chill.
Expect: More granitic and less floral.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
Both are made from frappato, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more tannic and structured.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Négrette
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and broader and softer.
Schiava
curatedA comparably delicate, pale red.
Expect: Lighter still, with an almond note.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more tannic and structured.
Canaiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
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.
Schiava
curatedA comparably delicate, pale red.
Expect: Lighter still, with an almond note.
English still Pinot Noir
English still Pinot Noir scores closest to Frappato across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Poulsard
Poulsard scores closest to Frappato across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Grolleau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
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 lighter, and less floral.
Schiava
curatedA comparably delicate, pale red.
Expect: Lighter still, with an almond note.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
Both are made from frappato, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more tannic and structured.
Gamay
curatedBoth are pale, light, juicy reds that benefit from a chill.
Expect: More granitic and less floral.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Négrette
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
Both are made from frappato, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more tannic and structured.
Canaiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more tannic and structured.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Torrontés
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
Clairette
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and broader and softer.
Falanghina
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.
Soave
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 less floral.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Négrette
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and broader and softer.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
Both are made from frappato, 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.
Canaiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less floral.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less floral.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less floral.
English still Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Loire Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less floral.
Oregon Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less floral.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Négrette
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Canaiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Portugieser
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Argentine Malbec
Argentine Malbec scores closest to Frappato across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fuller and richer.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher.
Sparkling Shiraz
Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Frappato across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher.
Glera
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 lighter.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Dornfelder
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more tannic and structured.
Touriga Franca
Touriga Franca scores closest to Frappato across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Tinta Negra
Tinta Negra scores closest to Frappato across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more tannic and structured.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more tannic and structured.
Uco Valley Malbec
Uco Valley Malbec scores closest to Frappato across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
Both are made from frappato, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more tannic and structured.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Barbaresco
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less floral.
Nebbiolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less floral.
Barolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less floral.
Torrontés
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
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.
Schiava
curatedA comparably delicate, pale red.
Expect: Lighter still, with an almond note.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
Both are made from frappato, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more tannic and structured.
Négrette
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and broader and softer.
Canaiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
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.
Négrette
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and broader and softer.
Uco Valley Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
Both are made from frappato, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more tannic and structured.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Schiava
curatedA comparably delicate, pale red.
Expect: Lighter still, with an almond note.
Canaiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more tannic and structured.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more tannic and structured.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more tannic and structured.
Dão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less floral.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more tannic and structured.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Zinfandel
Zinfandel scores closest to Frappato across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
California Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Frappato across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Négrette
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more tannic and structured.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
Both are made from frappato, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
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.
Gamay
curatedBoth are pale, light, juicy reds that benefit from a chill.
Expect: More granitic and less floral.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more tannic and structured.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more tannic and structured.
Cru Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more tannic and structured.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Schiava
curatedA comparably delicate, pale red.
Expect: Lighter still, with an almond note.
Négrette
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and broader and softer.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
Both are made from frappato, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more tannic and structured.
Canaiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
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.
Négrette
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and broader and softer.
Schiava
curatedA comparably delicate, pale red.
Expect: Lighter still, with an almond note.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
Both are made from frappato, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more tannic and structured.
Canaiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more tannic and structured.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more tannic and structured.
Cru Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more tannic and structured.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher.
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.