If you like this, try…
Wines like Refosco
A Friulian variety producing dark, high-acid reds with a distinctive bitter-plum edge. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Refosco?
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 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.
- How full and weighty it is
- Body is how much the wine seems to fill your mouth — the difference between skimmed and whole milk. It comes mostly from alcohol and ripeness.
- That it is not oaky
- No barrel character — just the fruit and the acidity. Chablis and Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc are the reference points.
- That it is properly dry
- No perceptible sugar at all. Almost all red wine is dry and a good deal of white wine is not, which is why this is a more useful thing to say about a white than about a red.
Looking for something keeping the fresh, crisp acidity, while moving away from too heavy, too plain or too simple and too austere.
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.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less austere.
Barbera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- A little less heavy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
Blaufränkisch
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- A little less heavy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
- Substantially less heavy.
- About as plain or too simple as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less austere.
Corvina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
- About as heavy as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less austere.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
- About as heavy as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less austere.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- About as austere 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.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
Barbera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Blaufränkisch
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
Barbera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Blaufränkisch
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
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.
Red Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Muscat Bailey A
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
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 drier, and fresher.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Loire Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Touriga Nacional
Touriga Nacional scores closest to Refosco across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Sagrantino
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Refosco across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
Barbera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Barbera d’Alba
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Naoussa Xinomavro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Xinomavro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Brunello di Montalcino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Aglianico
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
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.
Red Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Barbera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Oregon Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fuller and richer.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fuller and richer.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and drier.
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 fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
English sparkling wine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.
Sparkling Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.
Red Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Barbera d’Alba
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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 drier, 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 drier, 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.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Barbera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Blaufränkisch
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Naoussa Xinomavro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Xinomavro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Barbera d’Alba
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Zinfandel
Zinfandel scores closest to Refosco across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fuller and richer.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
California Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Refosco across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fuller and richer.
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.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Barbera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
Oregon Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
Blaufränkisch
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
Corvina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
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.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
Blaufränkisch
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and softer and rounder.
Corvina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Ribera del Duero
Ribera del Duero scores closest to Refosco across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Priorat
Priorat scores closest to Refosco across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Super Tuscan
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
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.