If you like this, try…
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.
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 savoury, non-fruity character and the peppery, spicy character, while moving away from too earthy or musty, too drying or too tannic and too peppery.
- 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.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less peppery.
Mavrud
Both are made from mavrud, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- About as peppery as the wine you started from.
Saperavi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less peppery.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less peppery.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less peppery.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less peppery.
Red Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less peppery.
Sangiovese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- 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.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.
Mavrud
Both are made from mavrud, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier.
Saperavi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fresher and more acidic.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more oaky.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.
Saperavi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fresher and more acidic.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more oaky.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more oaky.
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.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.
Australian Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and earthier.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and earthier.
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.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and earthier.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and earthier.
Trousseau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and leaner and more cutting.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Uruguayan Tannat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and leaner and more cutting.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Mavrud
Both are made from mavrud, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.
Saperavi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fresher and more acidic.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more oaky.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Sangiovese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more herbal and green.
Saperavi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.
Areni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.
Blaufränkisch
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and leaner and more cutting.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Dalmatian Plavac Mali
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and spicier.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Sparkling Shiraz
Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Mavrud across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Mavrud across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Mavrud across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less spicy.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and fuller and richer.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Saperavi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more oaky.
Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Corvina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less tannic 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.
Cornalin
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fresher.
Broad-leaved Melnik
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and leaner and more cutting.
Saperavi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and sweeter.
Australian Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more oaky.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fuller and richer.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less oaky.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less oaky.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less oaky.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and softer and rounder.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and earthier.
Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fuller and richer.
Mavrud
Both are made from mavrud, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more aromatic.
Saperavi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and sweeter.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more aromatic.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and less floral.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and earthier.
Douro red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more floral.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Rioja Gran Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and earthier.
Chianti Classico Riserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less spicy.
Taurasi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more tannic and structured.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more tannic and structured.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
California Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less tannic and softer.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fruitier.
Bolgheri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fruitier.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fruitier.
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.
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.
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.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more oaky.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more oaky.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and softer and rounder.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Mavrud
Both are made from mavrud, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier.
Saperavi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fresher and more acidic.
Australian Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more oaky.
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.
Mavrud
Both are made from mavrud, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier.
Saperavi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fresher and more acidic.
Australian Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more oaky.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and spicier.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and earthier.
Priorat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and earthier.
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.