Comparison
Alentejo red vs Naoussa Xinomavro
How Alentejo red and Naoussa Xinomavro differ, dimension by dimension.
The short answer
The main differences: Naoussa Xinomavro has more earthy character; Naoussa Xinomavro has more acidity; Naoussa Xinomavro has more tannin.
Choose
Naoussa Xinomavro
Choose Naoussa Xinomavro if you want something earthier, fresher and more acidic, more tannic and structured.
Where they genuinely differ
Only differences large enough to notice in the glass are listed here. A gap of half a point on a five-point scale is noise, and WineHQ does not dress it up as a finding.
Earthy character
Clear differenceForest floor, mushroom, wet stone, clay and undergrowth notes. Frequently, though not exclusively, associated with cooler and more traditional styles.
Naoussa Xinomavro is earthier: medium-plus against low.
Acidity
Clear differenceTotal perceived acidity. Rises in cooler climates and with earlier picking; falls with heat and ripeness.
Naoussa Xinomavro is fresher and more acidic: high against medium.
Tannin
Clear differencePhenolic compounds from grape skins, seeds, stems and oak. The principal structural axis of red wine.
Naoussa Xinomavro is more tannic and structured: high against medium.
Savoury character
Clear differenceNon-fruit, umami-adjacent character: meat, leather, olive, soy, broth, cured notes. Often increases with age.
Naoussa Xinomavro is more savoury: high against medium.
Floral character
Clear differenceBlossom, rose, violet, elderflower, acacia and related aromatic notes.
Naoussa Xinomavro is more floral: medium against low.
Spice
Clear differencePepper, clove, cinnamon and related spice notes, whether from the grape (as with rotundone in Syrah) or from oak.
Alentejo red is spicier: medium against low.
Where they are much the same
Just as useful: knowing which parts of the choice do not matter.
- Sweetness: Similar — both low.
- Alcohol: Similar — both medium-plus.
- Aromatic intensity: Similar — both medium.
- Oak influence: Similar — both medium.
- Herbal / green character: Similar — both low.
Full side by side
| Dimension | Alentejo red | Naoussa Xinomavro |
|---|---|---|
| Earthy character | low (1/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Acidity | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium (3/5) | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) |
| Tannin | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) |
| Savoury character | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium (3/5) | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) |
| Floral character | low (1/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Spice | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | low (1/5) |
| Perceived freshness | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium (3/5) | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) |
| Body | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Fruit intensity | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Texture | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium (3/5) |
| Sweetness | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Alcohol | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Aromatic intensity | medium (3/5) | medium (3/5) |
| Oak influence | typically medium, ranging from low to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium, ranging from low to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Herbal / green character | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Carbonation | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Serve at | 15–17°C | 16–18°C |
| Typical flavours | ripe plum, blackberry, dried herbs, cocoa, vanilla | sun-dried tomato, olive, red cherry, dried herbs, leather |
Values are typical points within each wine’s range. Both wines vary — see the individual pages for how much.