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.

← Back to Frappato

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.

I like…

The bright red fruit How light it is How smooth and soft it is How fresh and crisp it is That it is not oaky The floral character

But it’s a bit…

too tart or sour-fruited too light or thin too soft or too easy too alcoholic or warming too plain or too simple too floral or soapy

Clear all

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 and the fresh, crisp acidity, while moving away from too light or thin and too tart or sour-fruited.

You said you like the fresh, crisp acidity and that it is too tart or sour-fruited. Both are about perceived freshness, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.

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.

Tinto Cão

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.

Ciliegiolo

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.
Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Substantially less light or thin.
A little less tart or sour-fruited.

Nerello Cappuccio

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.
Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Substantially less light or thin.
A little less tart or sour-fruited.

Piedirosso

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.
Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Substantially less light or thin.
A little less tart or sour-fruited.

Jaen

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Substantially less light or thin.
A little less tart or sour-fruited.

Castelão

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Substantially less light or thin.
A little less tart or sour-fruited.

Frühburgunder

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Substantially less light or thin.
A little less tart or sour-fruited.

Prokupac

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Substantially less light or thin.
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.

Tinto Cão

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less floral.

Ciliegiolo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.

Nerello Cappuccio

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.

Piedirosso

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.

Different grape, similar feel

Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.

Tinto Cão

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less floral.

Ciliegiolo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.

Nerello Cappuccio

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.

Piedirosso

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.

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

curated

A comparably delicate, pale red.

Expect: Lighter still, with an almond note.

Poulsard

Poulsard scores closest to Frappato across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

English still Pinot Noir

English still Pinot Noir scores closest to Frappato across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

Grolleau

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

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

English still Pinot Noir scores closest to Frappato across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.

Rondinella

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and broader and softer.

Pinot Meunier

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Castelão

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.

Ciliegiolo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.

Frühburgunder

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.

Jaen

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.

Similar but less tannic

For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.

Friulano

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 savoury.

Pecorino

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 herbal and green.

Catarratto

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.

Trebbiano Abruzzese

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Bobal

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.

Colorino

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter in alcohol.

Cornalin

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.

Tinto Cão

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less floral.

Similar but fresher

Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.

Graciano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.

Chianti

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.

Etna Rosso

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.

Nerello Mascalese

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.

Similar but softer

Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.

Négrette

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, 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 softer and rounder, and broader and softer.

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fuller and richer.

Portugieser

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and lighter.

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 fresher, and fruitier.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.

Sparkling Shiraz

Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Frappato across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.

Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.

Similar but sweeter

Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.

Tinto Cão

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less floral.

Tinta Negra

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fruitier.

Rondinella

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter in alcohol.

Corvinone

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 broader and softer.

Change the flavour

Same shape, different aromatic character.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Dão

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more tannic and structured.

Cahors

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.

Carignan

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.

Areni

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fresher and more acidic.

Similar but more aromatic

More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.

Barbaresco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.

Barolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.

Torrontés

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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.

Trebbiano d’Abruzzo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and lighter in alcohol.

Vernaccia di San Gimignano

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and lighter in alcohol.

Pinot Grigio

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

Pinot Blanc

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and lighter in alcohol.

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 softer and rounder, and broader and softer.

Tinto Cão

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.

Dão

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more tannic and structured.

Cabernet Franc

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and lighter in alcohol.

Similar but less floral

Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.

Bobal

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.

Castelão

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.

Ciliegiolo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.

Colorino

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter in alcohol.

Similar but more savoury

Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.

Dão

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more tannic and structured.

Cahors

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.

Carignan

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.

Areni

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fresher and more acidic.

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 more oaky.

Petite Sirah

Petite Sirah scores closest to Frappato across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.

Primitivo

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.

Primitivo di Manduria

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.

Change the place

Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.

Same grape, cooler climate

Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.

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 fresher.

Same grape, warmer climate

Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.

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 fruitier, and more oaky.

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

curated

Both are pale, light, juicy reds that benefit from a chill.

Expect: More granitic and less floral.

Cabernet Franc

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, 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 more oaky, and fresher.

Red Bordeaux

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.

Something more adventurous

Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.

Tinto Cão

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less floral.

Ciliegiolo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.

Nerello Cappuccio

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.

Piedirosso

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.

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.

Tinto Cão

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less floral.

Ciliegiolo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.

Nerello Cappuccio

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.

Piedirosso

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.

A step up

The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.

Cabernet Franc

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, 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 more oaky, and fresher.

Red Bordeaux

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.

Pinot Noir

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and lighter in alcohol.

How these are chosen

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.