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Wines like Sagrantino

Umbria’s ferociously tannic variety, with among the highest measured tannin levels of any wine grape. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

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What do you like about Sagrantino?

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 How full and weighty it is The savoury, meaty side

But it’s a bit…

too drying or too tannic too heavy too oaky or woody too earthy or musty too savoury or funky too sweet

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.
How full and weighty it is: Body is how much the wine seems to fill your mouth — the difference between skimmed and whole milk. It comes mostly from alcohol and ripeness.
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 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.
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 touch of sweetness: Actual sugar left in the wine, which is a different thing from tasting fruity. A wine can smell of ripe peach and be completely dry.

Looking for something keeping the firm tannic structure, while moving away from too heavy and too oaky or woody.

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.

Negroamaro

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
Substantially less heavy.
A little less oaky or woody.

Carignan

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

Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
Substantially less heavy.
A little less oaky or woody.

Cahors

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

Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
Substantially less heavy.
A little less oaky or woody.

Barbaresco

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less heavy.
About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.

Rosso di Montalcino

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
Substantially less heavy.
A little less oaky or woody.

Tannat

curated

The two are the leading contenders for the most tannic wine grape in commercial use.

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
A little less heavy.
About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.

Nebbiolo

curated

A comparably tannic, ageworthy Italian red.

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less heavy.
More oaky or woody, not less.

Baga

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

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less heavy.
About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Negroamaro

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Carignan

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

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

Cahors

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

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

Barbaresco

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

Negroamaro

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Carignan

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

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

Cahors

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

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

Barbaresco

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

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.

Negroamaro

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Carignan

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

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

Cahors

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

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

Rosso di Montalcino

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

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.

Carignan

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

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

Cahors

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

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

Barbaresco

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Rosso di Montalcino

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

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.

Negroamaro

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Montsant

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

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

Saperavi

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

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

Brunello di Montalcino

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Similar but less tannic

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

Negroamaro

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Montsant

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

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

Saperavi

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

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

Carignan

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

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.

Barbaresco

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Rosso di Montalcino

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Baga

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

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

Bairrada Baga

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

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

Similar but softer

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

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Montepulciano

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Languedoc red

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

The sparkling version

Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

Both come from the same country.

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

Lambrusco

Both come from the same country.

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

Sparkling Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Negroamaro

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Similar but drier

Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.

Negroamaro

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Carignan

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

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

Cahors

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

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

Barbaresco

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Vintage Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and spicier.

Ruby Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Port

Port scores closest to Sagrantino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less tannic and softer.

Late Bottled Vintage Port

Late Bottled Vintage Port scores closest to Sagrantino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fuller and richer.

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.

Refosco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

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

Bobal

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Negroamaro

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Carignan

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

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Rioja

Rioja scores closest to Sagrantino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Pinotage

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

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

Rioja Reserva

Rioja Reserva scores closest to Sagrantino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Tempranillo

Tempranillo scores closest to Sagrantino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Similar but more aromatic

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

Barbaresco

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Nebbiolo

curated

A comparably tannic, ageworthy Italian red.

Expect: Paler, more perfumed and higher in acid.

Barolo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more restrained

For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.

Negroamaro

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Carignan

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

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

Rosso di Montalcino

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Baga

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

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

Similar but more floral

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

Barbaresco

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Nebbiolo

curated

A comparably tannic, ageworthy Italian red.

Expect: Paler, more perfumed and higher in acid.

Barolo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Cahors

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

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Naoussa Xinomavro

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

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

Xinomavro

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

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

Taurasi

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Barolo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Toro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and spicier.

California Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Petite Sirah

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and spicier.

Change the place

Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.

Same grape, cooler climate

Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.

Montefalco Sagrantino

Both are made from sagrantino, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

Both are made from sagrantino, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.

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.

Barbaresco

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Nebbiolo

curated

A comparably tannic, ageworthy Italian red.

Expect: Paler, more perfumed and higher in acid.

Brunello di Montalcino

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Barolo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Something more adventurous

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

Negroamaro

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Carignan

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

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

Cahors

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

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

Rosso di Montalcino

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Negroamaro

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Carignan

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

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

Cahors

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

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

Rosso di Montalcino

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

A step up

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

Brunello di Montalcino

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Barolo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Nebbiolo

curated

A comparably tannic, ageworthy Italian red.

Expect: Paler, more perfumed and higher in acid.

Barbaresco

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

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.