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Wines like Tannat

One of the most tannic wine grapes in commercial use, native to south-west France and the national variety of Uruguay. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

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What do you like about Tannat?

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 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.
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.
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 savoury, non-fruity character and the firm tannic structure, while moving away from too austere, 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.

Sagrantino

curated

Umbria’s Sagrantino is the other contender for the most tannic wine grape in commercial use.

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less austere.
More heavy, not less.
About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.

Saperavi

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

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
Substantially less austere.
A little less heavy.
About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.

Cahors

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

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
About as austere as the wine you started from.
A little less heavy.
A little less oaky or woody.

Carignan

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

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
About as austere as the wine you started from.
A little less heavy.
A little less oaky or woody.

Tinto Cão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
Substantially less austere.
Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less oaky or woody.

Negroamaro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
About as austere as the wine you started from.
A little less heavy.
A little less oaky or woody.

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
Substantially less austere.
A little less heavy.
About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.

Rosso di Montalcino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
About as austere as the wine you started from.
A little less heavy.
A little less oaky or woody.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Sagrantino

curated

Umbria’s Sagrantino is the other contender for the most tannic wine grape in commercial use.

Expect: Higher acidity and more overtly Italian savoury character.

Saperavi

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Cahors

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

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

Carignan

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

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

Sagrantino

curated

Umbria’s Sagrantino is the other contender for the most tannic wine grape in commercial use.

Expect: Higher acidity and more overtly Italian savoury character.

Saperavi

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Carignan

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

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

Tinto Cão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Dolcetto

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Dornfelder

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

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

Cahors

Both are made from tannat, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

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

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

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Dornfelder

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cru Beaujolais

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

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

Loire Cabernet Franc

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

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

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.

Sagrantino

curated

Umbria’s Sagrantino is the other contender for the most tannic wine grape in commercial use.

Expect: Higher acidity and more overtly Italian savoury character.

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Saperavi

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Negroamaro

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.

Saperavi

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Negroamaro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Tinta Barroca

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

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

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 spicier.

Rosso di Montalcino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barbaresco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Baga

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but softer

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

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Languedoc red

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Mourvèdre

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Syrah

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

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.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Sparkling Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Lambrusco

Lambrusco scores closest to Tannat across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Sagrantino

curated

Umbria’s Sagrantino is the other contender for the most tannic wine grape in commercial use.

Expect: Higher acidity and more overtly Italian savoury character.

Similar but sweeter

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

Sagrantino

curated

Umbria’s Sagrantino is the other contender for the most tannic wine grape in commercial use.

Expect: Higher acidity and more overtly Italian savoury character.

Tinto Cão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Touriga Franca

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

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

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.

Tinto Cão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cahors

Both are made from tannat, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

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

Saperavi

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Pinotage

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

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

Rioja

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

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

Tempranillo

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

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

Rioja Reserva

Rioja Reserva scores closest to Tannat 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.

Barbaresco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Barolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Cabernet Franc

Both come from the same country.

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.

Sagrantino

curated

Umbria’s Sagrantino is the other contender for the most tannic wine grape in commercial use.

Expect: Higher acidity and more overtly Italian savoury character.

Saperavi

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Carignan

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

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

Tinto Cão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more floral

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

Barbaresco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cahors

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

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

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Cabernet Franc

Both come from the same country.

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Naoussa Xinomavro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Xinomavro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Taurasi

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Toro

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

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

California Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

California Pinot Noir

California Pinot Noir scores closest to Tannat across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Change the place

Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.

Same grape, somewhere else

Holds the variety constant and changes the place, which is often a bigger change than swapping the grape.

Uruguayan Tannat

Both are made from tannat.

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

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Cahors

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

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

Madiran

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

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

Uruguayan Tannat

Both are made from tannat.

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

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Madiran

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

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

Cahors

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

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

Uruguayan Tannat

Both are made from tannat.

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

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

curated

A structured, tannic red in the same family of wines but far more widely available.

Expect: Noticeably less tannic and more aromatic.

Barbaresco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Cru Beaujolais

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

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.

Sagrantino

curated

Umbria’s Sagrantino is the other contender for the most tannic wine grape in commercial use.

Expect: Higher acidity and more overtly Italian savoury character.

Saperavi

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Cahors

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

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

Carignan

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

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

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.

Sagrantino

curated

Umbria’s Sagrantino is the other contender for the most tannic wine grape in commercial use.

Expect: Higher acidity and more overtly Italian savoury character.

Saperavi

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Cahors

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

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

Carignan

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

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

A step up

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

Brunello di Montalcino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Northern Rhône Syrah

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Barbaresco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.