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 floral, perfumed side, while moving away from too light or thin and too jammy or sweet-tasting.
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.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Douro red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Cahors
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- More jammy or sweet-tasting, not less.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more tannic and structured.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Douro red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more tannic and structured.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Douro red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
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.
Frappato
Both are made from frappato, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
English still Pinot Noir
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more tannic and structured.
Douro red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Barbaresco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more tannic and structured.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more tannic and structured.
Douro red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more floral.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Barbera d’Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Barbera d’Alba
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Gamay
Gamay scores closest to Cerasuolo di Vittoria across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
Pinot Meunier
Pinot Meunier scores closest to Cerasuolo di Vittoria across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more tannic and structured.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Graciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
Etna Rosso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Nerello Mascalese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Langhe Nebbiolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Sparkling Shiraz
Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Cerasuolo di Vittoria across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Lambrusco
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stiller.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more floral.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
Sagrantino
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
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.
Graciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
Canaiolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Refosco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Négrette
Négrette scores closest to Cerasuolo di Vittoria across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more tannic and structured.
Douro red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more neutral and subtle.
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.
Cahors
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Douro red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Uco Valley Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more floral.
Négrette
Négrette scores closest to Cerasuolo di Vittoria across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more floral.
Frappato
Both are made from frappato, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more floral.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Cahors
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Washington Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Etna Rosso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
Cahors
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
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.
Primitivo di Manduria
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Petite Sirah
Petite Sirah scores closest to Cerasuolo di Vittoria across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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.
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 both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
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 lighter.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
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.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more tannic and structured.
Douro red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Cahors
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
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.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more tannic and structured.
Douro red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Cahors
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
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.