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.
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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 moving away from too drying or too tannic and too sharp or acidic.
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.
Corvinone
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Nero d’Avola
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Bonarda
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Rioja Crianza
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Trincadeira
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Corvinone
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more fruit-driven.
Nero d’Avola
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.
Bonarda
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Corvinone
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more fruit-driven.
Nero d’Avola
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.
Bonarda
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more fruit-driven.
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.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more restrained in fruit.
Canaiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more floral.
Cinsault
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fresher.
País
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fresher.
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.
Schiava
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fresher.
Grolleau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fresher.
Trousseau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and spicier.
Dornfelder
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and sweeter.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more oaky.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Super Tuscan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
Bolgheri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more oaky.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more oaky.
Nero d’Avola
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
Bonarda
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Montefalco Sagrantino
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
Sagrantino
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and sweeter.
Tannat
Tannat scores closest to Refosco across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
Madiran
Madiran scores closest to Refosco across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
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.
Frappato
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less tannic and softer.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more floral.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less tannic and softer.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more sparkling.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Bonarda
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more fruit-driven.
California Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more oaky.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more oaky.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Sparkling Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more oaky.
Lambrusco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and stiller.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and stiller.
Franciacorta
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fresher.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Corvinone
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven.
Ruby Port
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and spicier.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and sweeter.
Sparkling Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and sweeter.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Agiorgitiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and spicier.
Alentejo red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and spicier.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more floral.
California Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and earthier.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more herbal and green.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more oaky.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and earthier.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less tannic 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.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and sweeter.
Koshu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fresher.
Corvinone
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and sweeter.
Nero d’Avola
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more oaky.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more herbal and green.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more oaky.
Canaiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and lighter.
Négrette
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more floral.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Rioja Gran Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more oaky.
Australian Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and spicier.
Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more oaky.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Zinfandel
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more oaky.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
California Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
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.
Rioja Crianza
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more oaky.
California Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
Rioja Gran Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Corvinone
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more fruit-driven.
Nero d’Avola
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.
Bonarda
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more fruit-driven.
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.
Corvinone
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more fruit-driven.
Nero d’Avola
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.
Bonarda
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more fruit-driven.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more oaky.
Amarone della Valpolicella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, 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.