If you like this, try…
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.
Refine
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.
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 savoury or funky.
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.
Primitivo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Toro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Primitivo di Manduria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Barossa Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- Substantially 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.
Primitivo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less tannic and softer.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Toro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Primitivo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less tannic and softer.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Toro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
California Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Barbera d’Alba
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Nero d’Avola
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
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.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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 lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more floral.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, 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.
Primitivo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less tannic and softer.
Primitivo di Manduria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and spicier.
Petite Sirah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Barossa Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Barbera d’Alba
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Barbera d’Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Refosco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more restrained in fruit.
Graciano
Graciano scores closest to Sagrantino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Barossa Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Lambrusco
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Barossa Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Bolgheri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Late Bottled Vintage Port
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Port
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and spicier.
Vin Doux Naturel
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Vintage Port
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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.
Corvinone
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Refosco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more restrained in fruit.
Nero di Troia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more restrained in fruit.
Bobal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Barossa Shiraz
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.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more restrained in fruit.
Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more restrained in fruit.
Morgon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.
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.
Primitivo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more aromatic.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.
Toro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.
Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.
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 lighter in alcohol, and more floral.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more restrained in fruit.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Brunello di Montalcino
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
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.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Barossa Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Bolgheri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and drier.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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.
Primitivo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less tannic and softer.
Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Barossa Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Toro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Primitivo di Manduria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, 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.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Toro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Primitivo di Manduria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and spicier.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
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.
Primitivo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, 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 more savoury, and spicier.
Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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.