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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 peppery, spicy character and the firm tannic structure, while moving away from too oaky or woody, too earthy or musty, too austere and too peppery.

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

Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less peppery.

Saperavi

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

Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less peppery.

Sagrantino

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

Has noticeably less of the peppery, spicy character.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
A little less oaky or woody.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less peppery.

Aglianico

curated

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

Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.
About as earthy or musty as the wine you started from.
About as austere as the wine you started from.
Substantially less peppery.

Montefalco Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has noticeably less of the peppery, spicy character.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
A little less oaky or woody.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less peppery.

Nebbiolo

curated

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

Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.
About as earthy or musty as the wine you started from.
About as austere as the wine you started from.
Substantially less peppery.

Tinto Cão

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

Has noticeably less of the peppery, spicy character.
Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less peppery.

Valpolicella Ripasso

Valpolicella Ripasso scores closest to Mavrud across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
Has noticeably less of the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less austere.
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more oaky.

Saperavi

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

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

Sagrantino

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

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

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more oaky.

Saperavi

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

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

Sagrantino

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

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

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.

Tinto Cão

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

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

Dolcetto

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

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

Rondinella

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

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

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.

Dornfelder

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

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

Rondo

Rondo 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.

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more oaky.

Priorat

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

Amarone della Valpolicella scores closest to Mavrud across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Primitivo di Manduria

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

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

Similar but less tannic

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

Saperavi

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

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

Amarone della Valpolicella scores closest to Mavrud across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Valpolicella Ripasso

Valpolicella Ripasso scores closest to Mavrud across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Similar but fresher

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

Saperavi

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

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

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.

Sangiovese

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but softer

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

Primitivo di Manduria

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

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

McLaren Vale Shiraz scores closest to Mavrud across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Toro

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

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

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.

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.

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

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more oaky.

Sagrantino

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

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

Tinto Cão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Vintage Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Saperavi

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

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

Tinto Cão

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

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

Tinta Barroca

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

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

Valpolicella Ripasso

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Pinotage

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

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

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Mavrud across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Barossa Shiraz

Barossa Shiraz scores closest to Mavrud across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Ribera del Duero

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

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

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.

Barolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barbaresco

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

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

Syrah

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.

Saperavi

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

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

Sagrantino

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

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

Touriga Nacional

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

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more oaky.

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.

Barolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Malbec

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

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Taurasi

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.

Barolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.

Brunello di Montalcino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.

Naoussa Xinomavro

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

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

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more oaky.

Primitivo

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

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

Primitivo di Manduria

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

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

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Mavrud across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

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 less tannic and softer.

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 less tannic and softer.

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.

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.

Sangiovese

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Red Bordeaux

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Mavrud across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more oaky.

Saperavi

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

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

Sagrantino

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

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more oaky.

Saperavi

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

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

Sagrantino

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

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 oaky.

Amarone della Valpolicella

Amarone della Valpolicella scores closest to Mavrud across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Ribera del Duero

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

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

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.