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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.

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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.

I like…

The bright red fruit How fresh and crisp it is The firm, grippy structure The earthy, mineral side The savoury, meaty side

But it’s a bit…

too tart or sour-fruited too sharp or acidic too drying or too tannic too floral or soapy too earthy or musty too savoury or funky

Clear all

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 and the savoury, non-fruity character, while moving away from too sharp or acidic and too savoury or funky.

You said you like the savoury, non-fruity character and that it is too savoury or funky. Both are about savoury character, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
You said you like the savoury, non-fruity character and that it is too savoury or funky. Both are about fruit intensity, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.

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.

Montsant

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Uco Valley Malbec

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Bobal

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Argentine Cabernet Franc

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Substantially less sharp or acidic.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.

Montsant

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Uco Valley Malbec

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fuller and richer.

Bobal

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.

Argentine Cabernet Franc

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, 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.

Montsant

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Uco Valley Malbec

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fuller and richer.

Bobal

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.

Argentine Cabernet Franc

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, 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 more restrained in fruit.

País

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Tibouren

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Cinsault

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more fruit-driven.

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.

Cru Beaujolais

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 fresher.

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

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 fruit-driven.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less tannic and softer.

Mondeuse Noire

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more fruit-driven.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Argentine Cabernet Franc

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more herbal and green.

Bolgheri

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 fruitier.

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more herbal and green.

Similar but less tannic

For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.

Valpolicella Ripasso

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Nero d’Avola

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 broader and softer.

Rioja Crianza

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 broader and softer.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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 softer and rounder.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Petit Verdot

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and broader and softer.

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and broader and softer.

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 more savoury.

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 more savoury.

Similar but softer

Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.

Argentine Cabernet Franc

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more herbal and green.

Bolgheri

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 fruitier.

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more herbal and green.

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 more fruit-driven, and less tannic and softer.

Lambrusco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less tannic and softer.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less tannic and softer.

Montsant

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and broader and softer.

Similar but sweeter

Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.

Pinotage

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more oaky.

Port

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and sweeter.

Touriga Franca

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and broader and softer.

Tinto Cão

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more restrained in fruit.

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.

Nero di Troia

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 spicier.

Fer Servadou

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more herbal and green.

Cornalin

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

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 broader and softer, and fruitier.

Pinotage

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and spicier.

Super Tuscan

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 fuller and richer.

Uco Valley Malbec

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.

Similar but more aromatic

More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.

Malbec

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.

Barbaresco

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.

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 tannic and structured.

Cabernet Franc

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

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.

Montsant

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 more aromatic.

Bobal

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Similar but more floral

Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.

Uco Valley Malbec

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fuller and richer.

Argentine Cabernet Franc

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.

Hawke’s Bay Syrah

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and spicier.

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and broader and softer.

Similar but less floral

Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.

Bobal

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, 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 broader and softer, and fruitier.

Cabernet Sauvignon

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

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 broader and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Similar but more savoury

Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.

Chianti Classico Riserva

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher and more acidic.

Rioja Gran Reserva

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less tannic and softer.

Barolo

curated

The pale-but-structured Italian archetype.

Expect: Far more tannic and more perfumed.

Taurasi

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher and more acidic.

Similar but fruitier

More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.

Argentine Cabernet Franc

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more herbal and green.

Bobal

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more herbal and green.

Dolcetto

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, 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.

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 more savoury.

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 more fruit-driven.

Same grape, warmer climate

Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.

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 more fruit-driven.

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 more savoury.

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.

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Super Tuscan

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 fuller and richer.

Cabernet Sauvignon

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more herbal and green.

Malbec

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.

Something more adventurous

Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.

Montsant

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Uco Valley Malbec

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fuller and richer.

Bobal

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.

Argentine Cabernet Franc

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more herbal and green.

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.

Montsant

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Uco Valley Malbec

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fuller and richer.

Bobal

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.

Argentine Cabernet Franc

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more herbal and green.

A step up

The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.

Northern Rhône Syrah

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and spicier.

Barolo

curated

The pale-but-structured Italian archetype.

Expect: Far more tannic and more perfumed.

Ribera del Duero

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and broader and softer.

Rioja

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and broader and softer.

How these are chosen

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.