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 that the fruit is not covered in oak, while moving away from too floral or soapy.
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 that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Cinsault
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Pinot Meunier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Jaen
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Canaiolo
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 floral or soapy.
Dornfelder
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Graciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Gamay
curatedBoth are pale, light, juicy reds that benefit from a chill.
- Has some of that the fruit is not covered in oak, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
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.
Cinsault
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Pinot Meunier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Jaen
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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.
Schiava
curatedA comparably delicate, pale red.
Expect: Lighter still, with an almond note.
Cinsault
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Pinot Meunier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Jaen
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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.
Schiava
curatedA comparably delicate, pale red.
Expect: Lighter still, with an almond note.
English still Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less floral.
Poulsard
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and earthier.
Kabinett
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, 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.
English still Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less floral.
Kabinett
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less tannic and softer.
Mosel Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter in alcohol.
Vinho Verde
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more sparkling.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Canaiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Dornfelder
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Graciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.
Jaen
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Arneis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Parellada
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Falanghina
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 more aromatic.
Kerner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Canaiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Dornfelder
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Graciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.
Jaen
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Graciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.
Molinara
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Mondeuse Noire
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more tannic and structured.
English still Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less floral.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Canaiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, 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 sweeter.
Tinta Barroca
Tinta Barroca scores closest to Frappato across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Négrette
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and broader and softer.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Lambrusco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stiller.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stiller.
Prosecco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less tannic and softer.
Glera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Dornfelder
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Lambrusco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more sparkling.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Tinto Cão
Tinto Cão scores closest to Frappato across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
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 more oaky, and fuller and richer.
Etna Rosso
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less floral.
Nerello Mascalese
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less floral.
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 oaky, and more tannic and structured.
Nebbiolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more tannic and structured.
Barolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more tannic and structured.
Scheurebe
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more aromatic.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Pinot Grigio
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less tannic and softer.
Cortese
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less tannic and softer.
Seyval Blanc
Seyval Blanc scores closest to Frappato across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Trebbiano Toscano
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
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.
Graciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.
Schiava
curatedA comparably delicate, pale red.
Expect: Lighter still, with an almond note.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
Both are made from frappato, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more neutral and subtle.
Pinot Meunier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
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.
Cinsault
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Dornfelder
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Jaen
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
País
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and earthier.
Poulsard
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Etna Rosso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less floral.
Nerello Mascalese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less floral.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Spätlese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less tannic and softer.
Primitivo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less floral.
Zinfandel
Zinfandel scores closest to Frappato across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less floral.
Petite Sirah
Petite Sirah scores closest to Frappato across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less floral.
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.
Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less floral.
Cru Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and earthier.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less floral.
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.
Cinsault
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Pinot Meunier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Jaen
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
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.
Schiava
curatedA comparably delicate, pale red.
Expect: Lighter still, with an almond note.
Cinsault
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Pinot Meunier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Jaen
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Cru Beaujolais
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and earthier.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less floral.
Gamay
curatedBoth are pale, light, juicy reds that benefit from a chill.
Expect: More granitic and less floral.
Grenache
Grenache scores closest to Frappato across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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.