If you like this, try…

Wines like Nerello Mascalese

Mount Etna’s principal red variety: pale, high-acid, ashy and increasingly compared to Nebbiolo and Pinot Noir. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

← Back to Nerello Mascalese

Refine

What do you like about Nerello Mascalese?

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 fresh and crisp it is The firm, grippy structure The earthy, mineral side The savoury, meaty side

But it’s a bit…

too tart or sour-fruited too sharp or acidic too drying or too tannic too floral or soapy too earthy or musty too savoury or funky

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 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.
The firm, grippy structure: High tannin — the drying grip on your gums, like over-brewed tea. It gives a red something to hold on to with rich food, and it is what lets a wine age.
The floral character: Rose, violet, elderflower, orange blossom.
The earthy, mineral side: Forest floor, wet stone, mushroom, damp earth. Widely described and much less well explained than wine writing implies — the sensation is real, the causal story usually is not.
The savoury, meaty side: Leather, olive, cured meat, dried herbs, tobacco. It is what people mean by calling a wine "serious" rather than "fruity", and it comes with age as well as with place.

Looking for something keeping the savoury, non-fruity character, 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.

Chianti

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

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

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

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Chianti Classico

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

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Sangiovese

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

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Aglianico

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

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Carignan

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

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Areni

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

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Baga

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

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
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.

Chianti

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.

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 less floral, and fuller and richer.

Chianti Classico

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.

Sangiovese

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.

Different grape, similar feel

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

Chianti

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.

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 less floral, and fuller and richer.

Chianti Classico

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.

Sangiovese

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.

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.

Poulsard

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more fruit-driven.

País

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more fruit-driven.

Tibouren

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more fruit-driven.

Valpolicella

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

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, 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.

Red Burgundy

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

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and spicier.

Valpolicella

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

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less floral.

English still Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more floral.

Molinara

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less floral.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Mourvèdre

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and softer and rounder.

Negroamaro

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 fruitier.

Priorat

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Ribera del Duero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but less tannic

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

Chianti

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.

Areni

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

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

Rioja Gran Reserva

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more savoury.

Carmenère

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Aglianico

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 spicier.

Baga

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.

Bairrada Baga

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.

Taurasi

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more savoury.

Similar but softer

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

Bekaa Valley Red

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

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

Fetească Neagră

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

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

Jumilla Monastrell

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Languedoc red

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

The sparkling version

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

Sparkling Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less floral.

Cava

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more sparkling.

English sparkling wine

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more sparkling.

Similar but sweeter

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

Sagrantino

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

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

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Saperavi

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

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

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

Change the flavour

Same shape, different aromatic character.

Similar but less oaky

One of the commonest requests in wine. Strips oak influence while holding grape character and weight.

Broad-leaved Melnik

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

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

Cornalin

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

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

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

País

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more fruit-driven.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Ribera del Duero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Rioja

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.

Rioja Gran Reserva

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more savoury.

Rioja Reserva

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Pinot Noir

curated

Similar pale colour, red fruit and transparency to place.

Expect: More savoury and smoky, with firmer tannin.

Nebbiolo

curated

Pale colour, high acidity, fine firm tannin and obsessive site sensitivity.

Expect: More volcanic and ashy, less rose-and-tar, and much cheaper.

Barbaresco

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

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more aromatic.

Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more floral.

Similar but more restrained

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

Franken Silvaner

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less tannic and softer.

Muscadet

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.

Palomino Fino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.

Trebbiano d’Abruzzo

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more fruit-driven.

Similar but more floral

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

Nebbiolo

curated

Pale colour, high acidity, fine firm tannin and obsessive site sensitivity.

Expect: More volcanic and ashy, less rose-and-tar, and much cheaper.

Barbaresco

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more aromatic.

Barolo

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more savoury.

Dão

Dão scores closest to Nerello Mascalese across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more 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.

Aglianico

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 spicier.

Areni

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

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

Baga

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more tannic and structured.

Bairrada Baga

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more tannic and structured.

Similar but more savoury

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

Chianti Classico Riserva

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less floral.

Taurasi

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less floral.

Rioja Gran Reserva

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less floral.

Naoussa Xinomavro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more floral.

Similar but fruitier

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

Rosso di Montalcino

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

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

Lagrein

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

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

Negroamaro

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

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

Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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.

Etna Rosso

Both are made from nerello mascalese, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

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

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Etna Rosso

Both are made from nerello mascalese, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter.

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

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.

Chianti Classico

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.

Sangiovese

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.

Red Bordeaux

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more herbal and green.

Something more adventurous

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

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 less floral, and fuller and richer.

Aglianico

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 spicier.

Carignan

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.

Areni

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

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

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.

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 less floral, and fuller and richer.

Aglianico

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 spicier.

Carignan

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.

Areni

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

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

A step up

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

Rioja Gran Reserva

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less floral.

Chianti Classico

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.

Sangiovese

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.

Brunello di Montalcino

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less floral.

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.