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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 and the savoury, non-fruity character, while moving away from too heavy and too savoury or funky.

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.

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.

Nebbiolo

curated

A comparably tannic, ageworthy Italian red.

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less heavy.
About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.

Tannat

curated

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

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
A little less heavy.
About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Mavrud

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

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less heavy.
About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.

Uco Valley Malbec

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

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

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Touriga Nacional

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

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

Pinotage

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

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

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Nebbiolo

curated

A comparably tannic, ageworthy Italian red.

Expect: Paler, more perfumed and higher in acid.

Tannat

curated

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

Expect: Slightly less acidic and more overtly dark-fruited.

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Mavrud

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

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Mavrud

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

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

Uco Valley Malbec

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

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

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

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.

Mavrud

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

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

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Nebbiolo

curated

A comparably tannic, ageworthy Italian red.

Expect: Paler, more perfumed and higher in acid.

Uco Valley Malbec

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

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

Uco Valley Malbec

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

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

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Nebbiolo

curated

A comparably tannic, ageworthy Italian red.

Expect: Paler, more perfumed and higher in acid.

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

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.

Touriga Nacional

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

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

Petit Verdot

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Toro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Bolgheri

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, 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.

Uco Valley Malbec

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

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

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Pinotage

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fresher

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

Nebbiolo

curated

A comparably tannic, ageworthy Italian red.

Expect: Paler, more perfumed and higher in acid.

Refosco

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 more restrained in fruit.

Aglianico

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

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

Barbaresco

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

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

Similar but softer

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

Malbec

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

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

Syrah

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

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

Toro

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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

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

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

Both come from the same country.

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

Lambrusco

Both come from the same country.

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

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Similar but drier

Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Mavrud

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

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

Uco Valley Malbec

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

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

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Vintage Port

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Ruby Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Late Bottled Vintage Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 more restrained in fruit.

Nero di Troia

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 more restrained in fruit.

Bobal

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

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

Broad-leaved Melnik

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

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Pinotage

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

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

Bolgheri

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

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

Super Tuscan

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

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

California Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more aromatic

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

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 restrained in fruit, and more savoury.

Malbec

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

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

Syrah

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

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

Similar but more restrained

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

Mavrud

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

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

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Pinotage

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

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

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Similar but more floral

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

Nebbiolo

curated

A comparably tannic, ageworthy Italian red.

Expect: Paler, more perfumed and higher in acid.

Malbec

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

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

Barbaresco

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

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

Uco Valley Malbec

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

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Taurasi

Both come from the same country.

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

Barolo

Both come from the same country.

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

Brunello di Montalcino

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

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

Naoussa Xinomavro

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

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

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 fuller and richer, and more floral.

Toro

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

California Pinot Noir

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

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

Bolgheri

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, 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.

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 savoury.

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 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.

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Nebbiolo

curated

A comparably tannic, ageworthy Italian red.

Expect: Paler, more perfumed and higher in acid.

Malbec

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

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

Something more adventurous

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

Tannat

curated

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

Expect: Slightly less acidic and more overtly dark-fruited.

Mavrud

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

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

Uco Valley Malbec

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

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

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Mavrud

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

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

Uco Valley Malbec

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

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

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Touriga Nacional

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

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

A step up

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

Nebbiolo

curated

A comparably tannic, ageworthy Italian red.

Expect: Paler, more perfumed and higher in acid.

Brunello di Montalcino

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

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

Barolo

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

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

Priorat

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.