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 moving away from too plain or too simple, too sharp or acidic and too drying or too tannic.
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.
Nero d’Avola
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Rioja Crianza
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
California Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Agiorgitiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Nemea Agiorgitiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Chilean Carmenère
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Zinfandel
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
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 spicier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Rioja Crianza
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
California Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and earthier.
Agiorgitiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and spicier.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
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 spicier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Rioja Crianza
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
California Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and earthier.
Agiorgitiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and spicier.
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.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and earthier.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and earthier.
País
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less tannic and softer.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and earthier.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and earthier.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less oaky.
Cru Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less oaky.
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 floral.
Primitivo
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 broader and softer.
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 spicier.
Uruguayan Tannat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and spicier.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
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 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 earthier.
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 earthier.
Madiran
Madiran scores closest to Refosco across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and earthier.
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.
Barbera d’Asti
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 fresher.
Barbera
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 fresher.
Oregon Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
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.
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 spicier.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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 fresher.
Franciacorta
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less oaky.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Late Bottled Vintage Port
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Sparkling Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and sweeter.
Vin Doux Naturel
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and sweeter.
Zinfandel
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and spicier.
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.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and earthier.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and softer and rounder.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher.
Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and softer and rounder.
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.
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 spicier.
Rioja Crianza
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and spicier.
California Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and spicier.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and earthier.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and earthier.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and softer and rounder.
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 earthier.
Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more floral.
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 spicier.
Primitivo
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 broader and softer.
California Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and earthier.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more oaky.
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 spicier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
California Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and earthier.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Zinfandel
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and spicier.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
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 spicier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Agiorgitiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and spicier.
Nemea Agiorgitiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and spicier.
Chilean Carmenère
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more herbal and green.
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.
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 spicier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Agiorgitiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and spicier.
Nemea Agiorgitiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and spicier.
Chilean Carmenère
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more herbal and green.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
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 spicier.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more floral.
Ribera del Duero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
Priorat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and earthier.
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.