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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 firm tannic structure.
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.
Bobal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Rosso di Montalcino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Nero di Troia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Cornalin
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Lagrein
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Graciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Bobal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder.
Rosso di Montalcino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and more oaky.
Nero di Troia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and softer and rounder.
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 more oaky, and earthier.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Bobal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder.
Rosso di Montalcino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and more oaky.
Nero di Troia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and softer and rounder.
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 more oaky, and earthier.
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.
Colorino
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 restrained in fruit.
Dolcetto
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.
Fer Servadou
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and softer and rounder.
Mondeuse Noire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more fruit-driven.
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.
Mondeuse Noire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and lighter.
Fer Servadou
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and softer and rounder.
Cru Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more floral.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
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 more sparkling.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Alicante Bouschet
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 oaky, and spicier.
Barossa Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and softer and rounder.
Bolgheri
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 more herbal and green.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
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 softer and rounder.
Montepulciano
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 softer and rounder.
Valpolicella Ripasso
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 spicier.
Nero d’Avola
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 more oaky.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Aglianico
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
Brunello di Montalcino
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
Taurasi
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
Barbaresco
Both come from the same country.
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.
Rosso di Montalcino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and more oaky.
Graciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more fruit-driven.
Langhe Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and earthier.
Chianti Classico
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 more herbal and green.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Alicante Bouschet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and softer and rounder.
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 oaky, and spicier.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more floral.
Barossa Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and softer and rounder.
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 less tannic and softer, and sweeter.
Lambrusco
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 stiller.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
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 stiller.
Bobal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and softer and rounder.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
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 oaky, and spicier.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more oaky.
Primitivo di Manduria
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.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Alicante Bouschet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fuller and richer.
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 spicier, and fuller and richer.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more herbal and green.
Barossa Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and softer and rounder.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more oaky.
Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more oaky.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more aromatic.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more aromatic.
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.
Bobal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and softer and rounder.
Rosso di Montalcino
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 herbal and green.
Nero di Troia
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.
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 more aromatic, and more oaky.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more floral.
Cahors
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more neutral and subtle.
Dão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and earthier.
Etna Rosso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Broad-leaved Melnik
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and spicier.
Cahors
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more floral.
Carignan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and earthier.
Chianti Classico
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 more herbal and green.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Primitivo di Manduria
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.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
Bolgheri
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 more herbal and green.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and softer and rounder.
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 Classico
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 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 more oaky, and more herbal and green.
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more herbal and green.
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 oaky, and more herbal and green.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Bobal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder.
Rosso di Montalcino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and more oaky.
Nero di Troia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and softer and rounder.
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 more oaky, and earthier.
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.
Bobal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder.
Rosso di Montalcino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and more oaky.
Nero di Troia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and softer and rounder.
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 more oaky, and earthier.
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 oaky, and spicier.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more herbal and green.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.
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 oaky, and fuller and richer.
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.