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, the fresh, crisp acidity and the rich, ripe dark fruit, while moving away from too alcoholic or warming.
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.
Australian Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Graciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Frappato
Both are made from frappato, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- About as alcoholic or warming as the wine you started from.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Mencía
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Jaen
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Langhe Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Has some of the rich, ripe dark fruit, though less of it.
- Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Australian Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter in alcohol.
Graciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter in alcohol.
Frappato
Both are made from frappato, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more floral.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter in alcohol.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Australian Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter in alcohol.
Graciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter in alcohol.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter in alcohol.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter in alcohol.
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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more floral.
Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Cinsault
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and broader and softer.
Schiava
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more restrained in fruit.
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 in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
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 lighter in alcohol, and more floral.
Graciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Australian Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter in alcohol.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter in alcohol.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter in alcohol.
Uco Valley Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and broader and softer.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Gamay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Pinot Meunier
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Cinsault
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and broader and softer.
Barbera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Graciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter in alcohol.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter in alcohol.
Petit Verdot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter in alcohol.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Graciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter in alcohol.
Langhe Nebbiolo
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 more savoury.
Oregon Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more savoury.
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more savoury.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Négrette
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, 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 lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Sparkling Shiraz
Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Cerasuolo di Vittoria across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
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 lighter in alcohol.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter in alcohol.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fruitier.
Lambrusco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Dornfelder
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and broader 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.
Graciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter in alcohol.
Frappato
Both are made from frappato, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more floral.
Jaen
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and broader and softer.
Négrette
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and softer and rounder.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter in alcohol.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter in alcohol.
Uco Valley Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and broader and softer.
Hawke’s Bay Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher and more acidic.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher and more acidic.
Barolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher and more acidic.
Torrontés
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more floral.
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.
Mencía
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Jaen
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and broader and softer.
Bierzo Mencía
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more savoury.
Australian Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
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 lighter in alcohol, and more floral.
Uco Valley Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Négrette
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and broader and softer.
Touriga Nacional
Touriga Nacional scores closest to Cerasuolo di Vittoria across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and broader and softer.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Mencía
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Jaen
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Bierzo Mencía
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Beaujolais
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Langhe Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher and more acidic.
Dão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter in alcohol.
Bierzo Mencía
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter in alcohol.
Uco Valley Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Petite Sirah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fruitier.
Primitivo di Manduria
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fruitier.
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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more floral.
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 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 less floral, and broader and softer.
Frappato
Both are made from frappato, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more floral.
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 lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Cru Beaujolais
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more savoury.
Oregon 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 fresher and more acidic.
Gamay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less floral.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Australian Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter in alcohol.
Graciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter in alcohol.
Frappato
Both are made from frappato, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more floral.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter in alcohol.
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.
Australian Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter in alcohol.
Graciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter in alcohol.
Frappato
Both are made from frappato, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more floral.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter in alcohol.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher and more acidic.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher and more acidic.
Argentine Malbec
Argentine Malbec scores closest to Cerasuolo di Vittoria across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fruitier.
Northern Rhône Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter in alcohol.
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.