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, the floral, perfumed side and the bright red-fruited character, while moving away from too light or thin.
- You said you like the bright red-fruited character and that it is too light or thin. Both are about body, 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.
Graciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Négrette
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Has noticeably less of the bright red-fruited character.
- Substantially less light or thin.
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 that the fruit is not covered in oak, though less of it.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
- A little less light or thin.
Langhe Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Has some of that the fruit is not covered in oak, though less of it.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Australian Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of that the fruit is not covered in oak, though less of it.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
- Substantially less light or thin.
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.
- Has noticeably less of the floral, perfumed side.
- Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
- A little less light or thin.
Uco Valley Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Pinot Meunier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Has noticeably less of the floral, perfumed side.
- Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
- A little 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.
Graciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more tannic and structured.
Négrette
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter.
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 lighter, and more oaky.
Langhe Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Graciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more tannic and structured.
Négrette
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter.
Langhe Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Australian Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, 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 lighter in alcohol.
Graciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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 lighter, and more oaky.
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, and lighter in alcohol.
Graciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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 lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Cru Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Graciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more tannic and structured.
Australian Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.
Uco Valley Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.
Négrette
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.
Alsace Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Torrontés
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Muscat of Alexandria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fruitier.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Graciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more tannic and structured.
Langhe Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Uco Valley Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.
Négrette
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter.
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 less floral, and more tannic and structured.
Langhe Nebbiolo
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 oaky.
Etna Rosso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Nerello Mascalese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
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 broader and softer, and lighter.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Canaiolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter.
Grenache
Grenache scores closest to Frappato across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
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 lighter.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Sparkling Shiraz
Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Frappato across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
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 lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Dornfelder
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier 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 more oaky, and lighter.
Langhe Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and lighter.
Australian Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.
Uco Valley Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.
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 less floral.
Nebbiolo
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.
Barolo
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.
Torrontés
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
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.
Graciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more aromatic.
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 lighter, and more oaky.
Langhe Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Australian Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, 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 broader and softer, and lighter.
Uco Valley Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.
Graciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more tannic and structured.
Langhe Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Graciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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 lighter, and less floral.
Pinot Meunier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Langhe Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Langhe Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Dão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Etna Rosso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Nerello Mascalese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
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 less floral, and more oaky.
Petite Sirah
Petite Sirah scores closest to Frappato across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more oaky.
Primitivo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Primitivo di Manduria
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, 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.
Cru Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Graciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more tannic and structured.
Négrette
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter.
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 lighter, and more oaky.
Langhe Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
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.
Graciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more tannic and structured.
Négrette
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter.
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 lighter, and more oaky.
Langhe Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Cru Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.
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.