If you like this, try…
Wines like Cerasuolo di Vittoria
Sicily’s only DOCG: a blend of Nero d’Avola and the floral, delicate Frappato, pale and perfumed. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Cerasuolo di Vittoria?
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.
- The rich dark fruit
- Blackberry, plum, black cherry — fruit that tastes ripe and generous rather than tart. It comes from warm-climate ripening and it is what most people mean when they call a red "fruity".
- 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.
- That it is not too strong
- Alcohol you notice as warmth at the back of the throat. Some people find it a pleasant part of a big red and some find it tiring.
- How light it is
- A wine you can drink without it feeling like a commitment. Usually lower in alcohol as well as lighter in the mouth.
- The floral character
- Rose, violet, elderflower, orange blossom.
Looking for something keeping the rich, ripe dark fruit, 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.
Beaujolais
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Gamay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Pinot Meunier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Jaen
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Dornfelder
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Cinsault
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Mencía
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Zweigelt
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- 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.
Beaujolais
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter.
Gamay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less tannic and softer.
Pinot Meunier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less oaky.
Jaen
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and broader and softer.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Beaujolais
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter.
Gamay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less tannic and softer.
Pinot Meunier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less oaky.
Jaen
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and broader and softer.
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.
Beaujolais
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.
Schiava
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and lighter.
Cinsault
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less tannic and softer.
English still Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more savoury.
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.
English still Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more savoury.
Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less tannic and softer.
English still rosé
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and lighter.
Vinho Verde
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Alicante Bouschet
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Bonarda
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less floral.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Pinot Meunier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky.
Gamay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and earthier.
Cinsault
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Muscat Bailey A
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Mondeuse Noire
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and spicier.
Fer Servadou
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more herbal and green.
Alicante Bouschet
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and broader and softer.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Loire Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more herbal and green.
Mondeuse Noire
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and spicier.
Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more savoury.
Barbera
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.
Alicante Bouschet
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less floral.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and broader and softer.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Lambrusco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and sweeter.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and stiller.
Sparkling Shiraz
Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Cerasuolo di Vittoria across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
English sparkling rosé
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more savoury.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Dornfelder
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and broader and softer.
Lambrusco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and less oaky.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Muscat Bailey A
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less tannic and softer.
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.
Pinot Meunier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer.
Jaen
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and stronger and warmer.
Dornfelder
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and broader and softer.
Cinsault
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Super Tuscan
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.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more savoury.
Alicante Bouschet
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Barbaresco
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more floral.
Nebbiolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more floral.
Barolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more floral.
Sauvignon Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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.
Pinot Grigio
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.
Cortese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Pinot Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Seyval Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Frappato
Both are made from frappato, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Négrette
Négrette scores closest to Cerasuolo di Vittoria across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and broader and softer.
Uco Valley Malbec
Uco Valley Malbec scores closest to Cerasuolo di Vittoria across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more savoury.
Touriga Nacional
Touriga Nacional scores closest to Cerasuolo di Vittoria across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fruitier.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Beaujolais
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter.
Cinsault
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Dornfelder
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.
Gamay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Bierzo Mencía
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more herbal and green.
Loire Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more herbal and green.
Chilean Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less floral.
English still Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Primitivo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
California Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Cerasuolo di Vittoria across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Zinfandel
Zinfandel scores closest to Cerasuolo di Vittoria across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Primitivo di Manduria
Both come from the same country.
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.
Frappato
Both are made from frappato, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and softer and rounder.
Nero d’Avola
Both are made from nero d’avola, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more savoury.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Nero d’Avola
Both are made from nero d’avola, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more savoury.
Frappato
Both are made from frappato, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, 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.
Beaujolais
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter.
Gamay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less tannic and softer.
Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less floral.
Barbera
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.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Pinot Meunier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less oaky.
Jaen
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and broader and softer.
Dornfelder
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.
Cinsault
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
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.
Pinot Meunier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less oaky.
Jaen
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and broader and softer.
Dornfelder
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.
Cinsault
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less floral.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and broader and softer.
Montepulciano 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 savoury.
Rioja Crianza
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more savoury.
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.