Comparison
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano vs Naoussa Xinomavro
How Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and Naoussa Xinomavro differ, dimension by dimension.
The short answer
The main differences: Naoussa Xinomavro has more floral character; Naoussa Xinomavro has more tannin; Vino Nobile di Montepulciano has more body.
Choose
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Choose Vino Nobile di Montepulciano if you want something fuller and richer.
Choose
Naoussa Xinomavro
Choose Naoussa Xinomavro if you want something more floral, more tannic and structured, more savoury.
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.
Floral character
Clear differenceBlossom, rose, violet, elderflower, acacia and related aromatic notes.
Naoussa Xinomavro is more floral: medium against low.
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-plus.
Body
Clear differenceThe overall weight and viscosity of the wine in the mouth — a composite of alcohol, sugar, extract and glycerol.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is fuller and richer: medium-plus 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-plus.
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 medium.
Perceived freshness
Clear differenceThe overall impression of liveliness — a composite of acidity, alcohol balance, fruit character and the absence of tiredness. Distinct from raw acidity: a wine can be high in acid yet taste heavy.
Naoussa Xinomavro is fresher: high against medium-plus.
Where they are much the same
Just as useful: knowing which parts of the choice do not matter.
- Sweetness: Similar — both low.
- Acidity: Similar — both high.
- Alcohol: Similar — both medium-plus.
- Fruit intensity: Similar — both medium.
- Aromatic intensity: Similar — both medium.
Full side by side
| Dimension | Vino Nobile di Montepulciano | Naoussa Xinomavro |
|---|---|---|
| Floral character | low (1/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Tannin | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | 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) |
| Savoury character | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) |
| Earthy character | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Perceived freshness | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) |
| Sweetness | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Acidity | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) |
| Alcohol | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Fruit intensity | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Aromatic intensity | medium (3/5) | medium (3/5) |
| Oak influence | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium, ranging from low to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Herbal / green character | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Spice | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Carbonation | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Texture | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium (3/5) |
| Serve at | 15–17°C | 16–18°C |
| Typical flavours | sour cherry, plum, dried herbs, leather, tobacco | 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.
Read more
Style
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Sangiovese from the Tuscan town of Montepulciano — and, confusingly, nothing to do with the Montepulciano grape.
Style
Naoussa Xinomavro
Pale, austere, ferociously tannic northern Greek red scented of dried tomato and olive — the closest thing to Barolo outside Piedmont.