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 the fresh, crisp acidity, while moving away from too soft or too easy, too alcoholic or warming and too light or thin.

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.

Rosso di Montalcino

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

Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
A little less soft or too easy.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less light or thin.

Graciano

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

Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
A little less soft or too easy.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less light or thin.

Chianti Classico

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

Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
A little less soft or too easy.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less light or thin.

Lagrein

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

Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
A little less soft or too easy.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less light or thin.

Bobal

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

Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
A little less soft or too easy.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less light or thin.

Cahors

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

Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
A little less soft or too easy.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less light or thin.

Cornalin

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

Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
A little less soft or too easy.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less light or thin.

Carignan

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

Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
A little less soft or too easy.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially 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.

Rosso di Montalcino

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher and more acidic.

Graciano

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher and more acidic.

Chianti Classico

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher and more acidic.

Lagrein

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and broader and softer.

Different grape, similar feel

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

Rosso di Montalcino

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher and more acidic.

Graciano

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher and more acidic.

Chianti Classico

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher and more acidic.

Lagrein

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, 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

curated

A comparably delicate, pale red.

Expect: Lighter still, with an almond note.

Rosso di Montalcino

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher and more acidic.

Chianti Classico

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher and more acidic.

Graciano

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher and more acidic.

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.

Rosso di Montalcino

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher and more acidic.

Chianti Classico

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher and more acidic.

Graciano

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher and more acidic.

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 in alcohol, and lighter.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Chianti Classico

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher and more acidic.

Graciano

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher and more acidic.

Rosso di Montalcino

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher and more acidic.

Lagrein

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, 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.

Rosso di Montalcino

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher and more acidic.

Chianti Classico

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher and more acidic.

Graciano

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher and more acidic.

Lagrein

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and broader and softer.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Chianti Classico

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher and more acidic.

Graciano

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher and more acidic.

Lagrein

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and broader and softer.

Rosso di Montalcino

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher and more acidic.

Similar but fresher

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

Rosso di Montalcino

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 rounder and creamier in texture.

Chianti Classico

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 rounder and creamier in texture.

Graciano

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Langhe Nebbiolo

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 rounder and creamier in texture.

Similar but softer

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

Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.

Jumilla Monastrell

Jumilla Monastrell scores closest to Frappato across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.

Syrah

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.

Tempranillo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.

The sparkling version

Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.

Sparkling Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, 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 rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.

Rosso di Montalcino

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and stiller.

Similar but sweeter

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

Tinto Cão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter.

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and broader and softer.

Corvina

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.

Sagrantino

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Change the flavour

Same shape, different aromatic character.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Chianti Classico

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher and more acidic.

Lagrein

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and broader and softer.

Red Bordeaux

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and broader and softer.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, 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 rounder and creamier in texture, and more tannic and structured.

Nebbiolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more tannic and structured.

Barolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more tannic and structured.

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Similar but more restrained

For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.

Rosso di Montalcino

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher and more acidic.

Graciano

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher and more acidic.

Chianti Classico

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher and more acidic.

Lagrein

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and broader and softer.

Similar but more floral

Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.

Uco Valley Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and broader and softer.

Barbaresco

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more tannic and structured.

Nebbiolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more tannic and structured.

Barolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, 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.

Rosso di Montalcino

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher and more acidic.

Chianti Classico

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher and more acidic.

Lagrein

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and broader and softer.

Bobal

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and broader and softer.

Similar but more savoury

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

Chianti Classico

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher and more acidic.

Cahors

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and broader and softer.

Carignan

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and broader and softer.

Red Bordeaux

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and broader and softer.

Similar but fruitier

More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.

Petite Sirah

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and broader and softer.

Zinfandel

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and broader and softer.

Primitivo di Manduria

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and broader and softer.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

California Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Frappato across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Same grape, warmer climate

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

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 rounder and creamier in texture.

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

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher and more acidic.

Red Bordeaux

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and broader and softer.

Sangiovese

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher and more acidic.

Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Something more adventurous

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

Rosso di Montalcino

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher and more acidic.

Graciano

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher and more acidic.

Lagrein

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and broader and softer.

Bobal

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, 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.

Rosso di Montalcino

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher and more acidic.

Graciano

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher and more acidic.

Lagrein

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and broader and softer.

Bobal

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and broader and softer.

A step up

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

Chianti Classico

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher and more acidic.

Red Bordeaux

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and broader and softer.

Sangiovese

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fresher and more acidic.

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

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.