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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.
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 firm tannic structure, while moving away from too austere.
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
curatedUmbria’s Sagrantino is the other contender for the most tannic wine grape in commercial use.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Substantially less austere.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Substantially less austere.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Substantially less austere.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
- Substantially less austere.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
- Substantially less austere.
Saperavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
- Substantially less austere.
Madiran
Both are made from tannat, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
- Substantially less austere.
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
curatedUmbria’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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and spicier.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more floral.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Sagrantino
curatedUmbria’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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and spicier.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more floral.
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.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more floral.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Tannat across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more sparkling.
Saperavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Tannat across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more sparkling.
Dornfelder
Dornfelder scores closest to Tannat across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and drier.
Rondo
Rondo scores closest to Tannat across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and drier.
Fer Servadou
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.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and spicier.
Sagrantino
curatedUmbria’s Sagrantino is the other contender for the most tannic wine grape in commercial use.
Expect: Higher acidity and more overtly Italian savoury character.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and leaner and more cutting.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more floral.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter.
Saperavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and drier.
Pinotage
Pinotage scores closest to Tannat across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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.
Saperavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Aglianico
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Brunello di Montalcino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Baga
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
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 less oaky.
Primitivo di Manduria
Primitivo di Manduria scores closest to Tannat across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Toro
Toro scores closest to Tannat across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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 drier.
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
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Tannat across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stiller.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Tannat across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and drier.
Sagrantino
curatedUmbria’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
curatedUmbria’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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more floral.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and spicier.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more fruit-driven.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Tannat across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more sparkling.
Saperavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
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 drier.
Ribera del Duero
Ribera del Duero scores closest to Tannat across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Super Tuscan
Super Tuscan scores closest to Tannat across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Tannat across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.
Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo scores closest to Tannat across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.
Barolo
Barolo scores closest to Tannat across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.
Syrah
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.
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
curatedUmbria’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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more aromatic.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter.
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 more floral, and spicier.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more fruit-driven.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Tannat across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more floral.
Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo scores closest to Tannat across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more floral.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Taurasi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Naoussa Xinomavro
Naoussa Xinomavro scores closest to Tannat across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Xinomavro
Xinomavro scores closest to Tannat across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Barolo
Barolo scores closest to Tannat across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.
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 more floral, and spicier.
Primitivo di Manduria
Primitivo di Manduria scores closest to Tannat across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Toro
Toro scores closest to Tannat across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Petite Sirah
Petite Sirah scores closest to Tannat across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
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.
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.
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 softer and rounder.
Cahors
Both are made from tannat, and 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 less tannic and softer.
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.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Amarone della Valpolicella scores closest to Tannat across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Priorat
Priorat scores closest to Tannat across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Brunello di Montalcino
Brunello di Montalcino scores closest to Tannat across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Cabernet Sauvignon
curatedA structured, tannic red in the same family of wines but far more widely available.
Expect: Noticeably less tannic and more aromatic.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Sagrantino
curatedUmbria’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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and spicier.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more floral.
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
curatedUmbria’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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and spicier.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more floral.
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.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Amarone della Valpolicella scores closest to Tannat across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Brunello di Montalcino
Brunello di Montalcino scores closest to Tannat across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Priorat
Priorat scores closest to Tannat across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Barolo
Barolo scores closest to Tannat across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.
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.