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.
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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 moving away from 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.
Négrette
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Canaiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- 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 sharp or acidic.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Portugieser
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- 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.
Négrette
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less oaky.
Canaiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less oaky.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
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 broader and softer, and less floral.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Négrette
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less oaky.
Canaiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less oaky.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
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 broader and softer, and less floral.
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.
Portugieser
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Schiava
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 acidic, and lighter.
Grolleau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
País
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
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.
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.
Canaiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and stronger and warmer.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Portugieser
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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 fresher and more acidic, and lighter.
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 broader and softer, and fuller and richer.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
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 broader and softer, and less floral.
Alicante Bouschet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fuller and richer.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Portugieser
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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 fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
Cinsault
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less oaky.
Grolleau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and spicier.
Alicante Bouschet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fuller and richer.
Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and spicier.
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.
Canaiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less oaky.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
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 broader and softer, and less floral.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
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 broader and softer, and less floral.
Alentejo red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Alicante Bouschet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fuller and richer.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fuller and richer.
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 fresher and more acidic, and broader and softer.
Lambrusco
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.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
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.
Glera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and sweeter.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and sweeter.
Portugieser
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less tannic and softer.
Vin Doux Naturel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and sweeter.
Zinfandel
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and spicier.
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.
Négrette
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and stronger and warmer.
Canaiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more restrained in fruit.
Portugieser
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and sweeter.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fuller and richer.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fuller and richer.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fuller and richer.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
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 aromatic.
Barbaresco
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more aromatic.
Nebbiolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more aromatic.
Barolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more savoury.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Franken Silvaner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more savoury.
Silvaner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less floral.
Chasselas
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less tannic and softer.
Palomino Fino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Négrette
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more neutral and subtle.
Uco Valley Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and earthier.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and broader and softer.
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 fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
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 broader and softer, and less floral.
Portugieser
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more oaky.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more savoury.
Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more savoury.
Jumilla Monastrell
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more savoury.
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 broader and softer, and spicier.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more oaky.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fuller and richer.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fuller and richer.
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 fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Nero d’Avola
Both are made from nero d’avola, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and broader and softer.
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 fresher and more acidic, and broader and softer.
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 fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
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.
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 broader and softer, and less floral.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fuller and richer.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and spicier.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Négrette
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less oaky.
Canaiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less oaky.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
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.
Négrette
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less oaky.
Canaiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less oaky.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
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 broader and softer, and fuller and richer.
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 broader and softer, and less floral.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, 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.