If you like this, try…
Wines like Etna Rosso
Pale, high-acid, ashy red from vineyards on an active volcano — Sicily’s most un-Sicilian wine. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Etna Rosso?
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.
- The floral character
- Rose, violet, elderflower, orange blossom.
- The earthy, mineral side
- Forest floor, wet stone, mushroom, damp earth. Widely described and much less well explained than wine writing implies — the sensation is real, the causal story usually is not.
- The savoury, meaty side
- Leather, olive, cured meat, dried herbs, tobacco. It is what people mean by calling a wine "serious" rather than "fruity", and it comes with age as well as with place.
Looking for something keeping the earthy, savoury-mineral character, while moving away from too floral or soapy and 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.
Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the earthy, savoury-mineral character.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Rioja Gran Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the earthy, savoury-mineral character.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Melnik
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the earthy, savoury-mineral character.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Broad-leaved Melnik
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the earthy, savoury-mineral character.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Bekaa Valley Red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the earthy, savoury-mineral character.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Mavrud
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the earthy, savoury-mineral character.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Priorat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the earthy, savoury-mineral character.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Has some of the earthy, savoury-mineral character, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- 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.
Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends
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 more herbal and green.
Rioja Gran Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Melnik
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Broad-leaved Melnik
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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.
Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends
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 more herbal and green.
Rioja Gran Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Melnik
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Broad-leaved Melnik
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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.
Poulsard
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
País
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Tibouren
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Grolleau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, 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.
Red Burgundy
curatedBoth are pale, high-acid, site-transparent reds of similar weight.
Expect: Earthier and rounder, without the ash and smoke.
Grolleau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fresher.
Cru Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fresher.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Bekaa Valley Red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Mavrud
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Priorat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Rioja Gran Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Rioja Gran Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
New Zealand Pinot Noir
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.
California Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Southern Rhône blend
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Mavrud
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Priorat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
Bekaa Valley Red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
California Pinot Noir
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Mavrud
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Mourvèdre
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.
Sparkling Shiraz
Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Etna Rosso across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fresher.
Lambrusco
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fresher.
Cava
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fresher.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Saperavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less floral.
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.
Broad-leaved Melnik
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Piedirosso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Frühburgunder
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
País
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Rioja Gran Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and spicier.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Barolo
curatedThe pale-but-structured Italian archetype.
Expect: Far more tannic and more perfumed.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fresher and more acidic.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less floral.
Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less floral.
Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends
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 more aromatic.
Rioja Gran Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Barolo
curatedThe pale-but-structured Italian archetype.
Expect: Far more tannic and more perfumed.
Barbaresco
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Nebbiolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Douro red
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
Bekaa Valley Red
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Broad-leaved Melnik
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Mavrud
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Melnik
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Rioja Gran Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Chianti Classico Riserva
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.
Taurasi
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 less floral.
Naoussa Xinomavro
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 fresher.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
California Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Morgon
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Piedirosso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Chilean Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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.
Nerello Mascalese
Both are made from nerello mascalese, 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.
Nerello Cappuccio
Both are made from nerello cappuccio, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher 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.
Nerello Cappuccio
Both are made from nerello cappuccio, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Nerello Mascalese
Both are made from nerello mascalese, 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.
Rioja Gran Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Priorat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
New Zealand Pinot Noir
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Red Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends
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 more herbal and green.
Melnik
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Broad-leaved Melnik
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Bekaa Valley Red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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.
Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends
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 more herbal and green.
Melnik
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Broad-leaved Melnik
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Bekaa Valley Red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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.
Rioja Gran Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Northern Rhône Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and spicier.
Brunello di Montalcino
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 less floral.
Priorat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
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.