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 soft or too easy.
- You said you like how smooth and easy it is to drink and that it is too soft or too easy. Both are about tannin, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
- You said you like how smooth and easy it is to drink and that it is too soft or too easy. Both are about texture, 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.
Uco Valley Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of how smooth and easy it is to drink.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- A little less soft or too easy.
Langhe Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Has noticeably less of how smooth and easy it is to drink.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- A little less soft or too easy.
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.
- A little less soft or too easy.
Graciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of how smooth and easy it is to drink.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- A little less soft or too easy.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
Both are made from frappato, and 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.
- A little less soft or too easy.
Dão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of how smooth and easy it is to drink.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- A little less soft or too easy.
Cru Beaujolais
Cru Beaujolais scores closest to Frappato across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
- 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.
- A little less soft or too easy.
Schiava
curatedA comparably delicate, pale red.
- Keeps how smooth and easy it is to drink.
- Has noticeably less of the floral, perfumed side.
- About as soft or too easy as the wine you started from.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Uco Valley Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fuller and richer.
Langhe 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 less floral.
Négrette
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Graciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, 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.
Uco Valley Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fuller and richer.
Langhe 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 less floral.
Négrette
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Graciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, 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
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 less tannic and softer, and less floral.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
Both are made from frappato, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Beaujolais
Beaujolais scores closest to Frappato across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less floral.
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 less tannic and softer, and less floral.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
Both are made from frappato, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Cru Beaujolais
Cru Beaujolais scores closest to Frappato across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Schiava
curatedA comparably delicate, pale red.
Expect: Lighter still, with an almond note.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Uco Valley Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fuller and richer.
Graciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.
Langhe 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 less floral.
Négrette
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
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.
Uco Valley Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fuller and richer.
Langhe Nebbiolo
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 floral.
Graciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.
Dão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Uco Valley Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fuller and richer.
Langhe Nebbiolo
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 floral.
Graciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.
Dão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Langhe 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 less floral.
Graciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.
Etna Rosso
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 less floral.
Nerello Mascalese
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 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 rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Canaiolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Malbec
Malbec scores closest to Frappato across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.
Argentine Malbec
Argentine Malbec scores closest to Frappato across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Lambrusco
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Sparkling Shiraz
Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Frappato across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Uco Valley Malbec
Uco Valley Malbec scores closest to Frappato across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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.
Touriga Franca
Touriga Franca scores closest to Frappato across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.
Touriga Nacional
Touriga Nacional scores closest to Frappato across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more tannic and structured.
Lambrusco
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.
Dornfelder
Dornfelder scores closest to Frappato across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Uco Valley Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fuller and richer.
Langhe 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 less floral.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.
Touriga Franca
Touriga Franca scores closest to Frappato across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, 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 rounder and creamier in texture, and more tannic and structured.
Nebbiolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more tannic and structured.
Barolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more tannic and structured.
Uco Valley Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fuller and richer.
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.
Langhe 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 less floral.
Graciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
Both are made from frappato, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Dão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.
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.
Uco Valley Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fuller and richer.
Négrette
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Touriga Nacional
Touriga Nacional scores closest to Frappato across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, 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 rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
Both are made from frappato, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
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 rounder and creamier in texture.
Graciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Dão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Dão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.
Langhe 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 less floral.
Uco Valley Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fuller and richer.
Etna Rosso
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
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
Négrette scores closest to Frappato across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Graciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
Both are made from frappato, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Touriga Nacional
Touriga Nacional scores closest to Frappato across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more tannic and structured.
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.
Cru Beaujolais
Cru Beaujolais scores closest to Frappato across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Barbaresco
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more tannic and structured.
Nebbiolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more tannic and structured.
Barolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more tannic and structured.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Uco Valley Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fuller and richer.
Langhe 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 less floral.
Négrette
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Graciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, 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.
Uco Valley Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fuller and richer.
Langhe 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 less floral.
Négrette
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Graciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less floral.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Cru Beaujolais
Cru Beaujolais scores closest to Frappato across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Barbaresco
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more tannic and structured.
Nebbiolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more tannic and structured.
Barolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more tannic and structured.
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.