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Wines like Mavrud

Bulgaria’s most distinctive indigenous red — dark, tannic and slow to ripen, grown almost entirely around Plovdiv. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

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What do you like about Mavrud?

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 firm, grippy structure The spice The earthy, mineral side The savoury, meaty side

But it’s a bit…

too drying or too tannic too oaky or woody too peppery too earthy or musty too savoury or funky too austere

Clear all

What these words mean

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 vanilla and oak: Vanilla, toast, coconut, sweet spice, sometimes smoke. It comes from the barrel rather than the grape, which is why the same grape can taste completely different with and without it.
The spice: Black pepper, clove, cinnamon. Some of it is the grape — the pepper in Syrah is a measured compound called rotundone — and some is the barrel.
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.
That it is properly dry: No perceptible sugar at all. Almost all red wine is dry and a good deal of white wine is not, which is why this is a more useful thing to say about a white than about a red.

Looking for something keeping the firm tannic structure, the peppery, spicy character and the savoury, non-fruity character, while moving away from too austere, too savoury or funky and too peppery.

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.
You said you like the peppery, spicy character and that it is too peppery. Both are about spice, 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.

Touriga Nacional

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

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

Pinotage

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Substantially less austere.
A little less savoury or funky.
Substantially less peppery.

Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Has noticeably less of the peppery, spicy character.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less austere.
About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
Substantially less peppery.

Aglianico

curated

A structurally close comparison: firm tannin, dark fruit and a savoury, earthy register.

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
About as austere as the wine you started from.
About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
Substantially less peppery.

Petit Verdot

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
About as austere as the wine you started from.
A little less savoury or funky.
Substantially less peppery.

Saperavi

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less austere.
About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
Substantially less peppery.

Nebbiolo

curated

Both are high-tannin, high-acid varieties that need time and reward it.

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
About as austere as the wine you started from.
About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
Substantially less peppery.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
About as austere as the wine you started from.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less peppery.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Touriga Nacional

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

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

Pinotage

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.

Aglianico

curated

A structurally close comparison: firm tannin, dark fruit and a savoury, earthy register.

Expect: Aglianico is more volcanic and mineral; Mavrud is denser and more herbal.

Different grape, similar feel

Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.

Touriga Nacional

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

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

Pinotage

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.

Nebbiolo

curated

Both are high-tannin, high-acid varieties that need time and reward it.

Expect: Mavrud is much darker and more overtly fruited; Nebbiolo is pale and more 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.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Mavrud across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.

Trousseau

Trousseau scores closest to Mavrud across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

Dolcetto

Dolcetto scores closest to Mavrud across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.

Tinto Cão

Tinto Cão scores closest to Mavrud across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Mavrud across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.

Trousseau

Trousseau scores closest to Mavrud across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

Mondeuse Noire

Mondeuse Noire scores closest to Mavrud across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

Dornfelder

Dornfelder scores closest to Mavrud across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Touriga Nacional

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

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

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

Priorat

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Primitivo di Manduria

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

Similar but less tannic

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

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

Primitivo di Manduria

Primitivo di Manduria scores closest to Mavrud across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and drier.

Pinotage

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and drier.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and drier.

Similar but fresher

Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.

Saperavi

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Aglianico

curated

A structurally close comparison: firm tannin, dark fruit and a savoury, earthy register.

Expect: Aglianico is more volcanic and mineral; Mavrud is denser and more herbal.

Nebbiolo

curated

Both are high-tannin, high-acid varieties that need time and reward it.

Expect: Mavrud is much darker and more overtly fruited; Nebbiolo is pale and more floral.

Brunello di Montalcino

Brunello di Montalcino scores closest to Mavrud across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Similar but softer

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

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

Primitivo di Manduria

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

Barossa Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

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 more fruit-driven.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Mavrud across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.

Lambrusco

Lambrusco scores closest to Mavrud across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.

Touriga Nacional

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

Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and more floral.

Similar but sweeter

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

Touriga Nacional

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

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

Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.

Sparkling Shiraz

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

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

Vintage Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and spicier.

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.

Tinto Cão

Tinto Cão scores closest to Mavrud across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Broad-leaved Melnik

Both come from the same country.

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

Tinta Barroca

Tinta Barroca scores closest to Mavrud across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.

Saperavi

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

Pinotage

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

Barossa Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

Bolgheri

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Nebbiolo

curated

Both are high-tannin, high-acid varieties that need time and reward it.

Expect: Mavrud is much darker and more overtly fruited; Nebbiolo is pale and more floral.

Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

Barolo

Barolo scores closest to Mavrud across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

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.

Touriga Nacional

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

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more aromatic.

Pinotage

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.

Saperavi

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more floral

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

Touriga Nacional

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

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

Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

Nebbiolo

curated

Both are high-tannin, high-acid varieties that need time and reward it.

Expect: Mavrud is much darker and more overtly fruited; Nebbiolo is pale and more floral.

Petit Verdot

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Taurasi

Taurasi scores closest to Mavrud across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Barolo

Barolo scores closest to Mavrud across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Brunello di Montalcino

Brunello di Montalcino scores closest to Mavrud across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Naoussa Xinomavro

Naoussa Xinomavro scores closest to Mavrud across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Touriga Nacional

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

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

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

Bolgheri

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic 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.

Mavrud

Both are made from mavrud, and both come from the same country.

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

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Mavrud

Both are made from mavrud, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

Priorat

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

Barossa Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

Something more adventurous

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

Touriga Nacional

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

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

Pinotage

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.

Petit Verdot

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Touriga Nacional

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

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

Pinotage

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.

Petit Verdot

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

A step up

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

Priorat

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

Ribera del Duero

Ribera del Duero scores closest to Mavrud across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Châteauneuf-du-Pape scores closest to Mavrud across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic 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.