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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 full body and weight, while moving away from too sweet, too drying or too tannic and too heavy.

You said you like the full body and weight and that it is too heavy. Both are about body, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
You said you like the full body and weight and that it is too heavy. Both are about alcohol, 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.

Pinotage

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

Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
Substantially less sweet.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less heavy.

Corvina

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

Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
Substantially less sweet.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less heavy.

Saperavi

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

Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
Substantially less sweet.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less heavy.

Valpolicella Ripasso

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

Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
Substantially less sweet.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less heavy.

Corvinone

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

Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
Substantially less sweet.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less heavy.

Lagrein

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

Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
Substantially less sweet.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less heavy.

Negroamaro

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

Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
Substantially less sweet.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less heavy.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

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

Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
Substantially less sweet.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less heavy.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Pinotage

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Corvina

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 spicier.

Saperavi

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fresher.

Valpolicella Ripasso

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 spicier.

Different grape, similar feel

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

Pinotage

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Corvina

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 spicier.

Saperavi

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fresher.

Valpolicella Ripasso

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 spicier.

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.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Chianti Classico

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more herbal and green.

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione

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

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

Chianti Classico Riserva

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more herbal and green.

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.

Corvina

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 spicier.

Valpolicella Ripasso

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 spicier.

Saperavi

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fresher.

Lagrein

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.

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.

Valpolicella Ripasso

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 spicier.

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 drier.

Pinotage

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

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

Negroamaro

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

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

Similar but less tannic

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

Valpolicella Ripasso

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 spicier.

Pinotage

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Negroamaro

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Saperavi

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fresher.

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 spicier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

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

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

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione

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

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

Sangiovese

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more herbal and green.

Similar but softer

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

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Tempranillo

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Syrah

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Mourvèdre

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

The sparkling version

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

Sparkling Shiraz

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

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

Lambrusco

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

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

English sparkling rosé

English sparkling rosé scores closest to Sagrantino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Similar but drier

Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.

Corvina

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 spicier.

Valpolicella Ripasso

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 spicier.

Corvinone

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 less oaky.

Pinotage

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Similar but sweeter

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

Ruby Port

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

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

Tawny Port

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

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

Port

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

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

Late Bottled Vintage Port

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

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, 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.

Bobal

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

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

Broad-leaved Melnik

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Corvinone

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 fruit-driven.

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 drier, and spicier.

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 oaky, and spicier.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Rioja

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

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

Tempranillo

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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 drier, and spicier.

Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Nebbiolo

curated

A comparably tannic, ageworthy Italian red.

Expect: Paler, more perfumed and higher in acid.

Barbaresco

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.

Similar but more restrained

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

Pinotage

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

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

Corvina

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 aromatic.

Saperavi

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

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

Valpolicella Ripasso

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 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 drier, and spicier.

Syrah

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Nebbiolo

curated

A comparably tannic, ageworthy Italian red.

Expect: Paler, more perfumed and higher in acid.

Cahors

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.

Similar but more savoury

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

Chianti Classico Riserva

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more herbal and green.

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

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

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.

Northern Rhône Syrah

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Similar but fruitier

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

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

California Pinot Noir

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

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

Zinfandel

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

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

California Rhône blend

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.

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 tannic and structured.

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 tannic and structured.

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.

Sangiovese

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more herbal and green.

Chianti Classico

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more herbal and green.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Rioja

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Something more adventurous

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

Pinotage

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Corvina

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 spicier.

Saperavi

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fresher.

Valpolicella Ripasso

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 spicier.

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.

Pinotage

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Corvina

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 spicier.

Saperavi

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fresher.

Valpolicella Ripasso

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 spicier.

A step up

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

Northern Rhône Syrah

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

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 stronger and warmer.

Ribera del Duero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, 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.