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 firm tannic structure, while moving away from too sharp or acidic and 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.
Lagrein
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
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 firm tannic structure.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Carignan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Red Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- 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.
Lagrein
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 fuller and richer.
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.
Carignan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Red Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more herbal and green.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Lagrein
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 fuller and richer.
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.
Carignan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Red Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more herbal and green.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less floral.
País
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less floral.
Tibouren
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less floral.
Grolleau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, 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.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fresher.
Mondeuse Noire
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Grolleau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less floral.
Schiava
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more floral.
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 softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Amarone della Valpolicella
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.
Bekaa Valley Red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Bolgheri
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 broader and softer.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less floral.
Nero d’Avola
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less floral.
New Zealand Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less floral.
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 tannic and softer, and less floral.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and broader and softer.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and broader and softer.
Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and broader and softer.
Madiran
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and broader and softer.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Amarone della Valpolicella
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.
Bekaa Valley Red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Bolgheri
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 broader and softer.
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 tannic and softer, and less floral.
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 less tannic and softer, and less floral.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fresher.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fresher.
Lagrein
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and less floral.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, 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.
Bobal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Cornalin
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Colorino
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 more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Bolgheri
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 broader and softer.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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 broader and softer.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more floral.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more floral.
Barolo
curatedThe pale-but-structured Italian archetype.
Expect: Far more tannic and more perfumed.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Koshu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less floral.
Lagrein
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 more aromatic.
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.
Carignan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more aromatic.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Dão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Hawke’s Bay Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and spicier.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Bekaa Valley Red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Bobal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Bolgheri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
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.
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.
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 tannic and softer, and broader and softer.
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 more tannic and structured.
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 more tannic and structured.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Bobal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Bolgheri
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 broader and softer.
Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
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 Cappuccio
Both are made from nerello cappuccio, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, 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.
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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, 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.
Red Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more herbal and green.
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 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.
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Lagrein
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 fuller and richer.
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.
Carignan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Montsant
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 broader and softer.
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.
Lagrein
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 fuller and richer.
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.
Carignan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Montsant
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 broader and softer.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
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 tannic and softer, and broader and softer.
Northern Rhône Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and spicier.
Red Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more herbal and green.
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.
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.