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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 moving away from too drying or too tannic and too heavy.
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.
Cabernet Sauvignon
curatedA structured, tannic red in the same family of wines but far more widely available.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- A little less heavy.
Cahors
Both are made from tannat, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- A little less heavy.
Cru Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less heavy.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less heavy.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less heavy.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less heavy.
Loire Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less heavy.
Fer Servadou
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- 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.
Cabernet Sauvignon
curatedA structured, tannic red in the same family of wines but far more widely available.
Expect: Noticeably less tannic and more aromatic.
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 stronger and warmer, and more floral.
Cru Beaujolais
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.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.
Cru Beaujolais
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.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Cabernet Sauvignon
curatedA structured, tannic red in the same family of wines but far more widely available.
Expect: Noticeably less tannic and more aromatic.
Cabernet Franc
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.
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.
Cabernet Franc
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.
Cru Beaujolais
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.
Loire Cabernet Franc
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.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.
Cru Beaujolais
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Cabernet Franc
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.
Loire Cabernet Franc
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.
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.
Merlot
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 stronger and warmer.
Southern Rhône blend
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 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 stronger and warmer.
Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and spicier.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Cabernet Sauvignon
curatedA structured, tannic red in the same family of wines but far more widely available.
Expect: Noticeably less tannic and more aromatic.
Merlot
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 stronger and warmer.
Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and spicier.
Mourvèdre
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and spicier.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Loire Cabernet Franc
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.
Red Burgundy
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 lighter.
Mondeuse Noire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Mourvèdre
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and spicier.
Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and spicier.
Merlot
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 stronger and warmer.
Languedoc red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more herbal and green.
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 less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
English sparkling rosé
English sparkling rosé scores closest to Tannat across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and sweeter.
Sparkling Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.
Fer Servadou
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more herbal and green.
Mondeuse Noire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and spicier.
Colorino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less oaky.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less oaky.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less oaky.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less oaky.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Cabernet Franc
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.
Pinot Noir
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 lighter.
Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and spicier.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and spicier.
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.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more aromatic.
Fer Servadou
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more aromatic.
Mondeuse Noire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more aromatic.
Carignan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more aromatic.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Cabernet Franc
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.
Pinot Noir
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 lighter.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and spicier.
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 stronger and warmer, 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.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more herbal and green.
Rioja Gran Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.
Northern Rhône Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and spicier.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
California Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less tannic and softer.
California Rhône blend
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, 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.
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.
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 stronger and warmer, and softer and rounder.
Uruguayan Tannat
Both are made from tannat, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
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 fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.
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.
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 stronger and warmer, and more restrained in fruit.
Uruguayan Tannat
Both are made from tannat, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
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 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.
Cabernet Sauvignon
curatedA structured, tannic red in the same family of wines but far more widely available.
Expect: Noticeably less tannic and more aromatic.
Cru Beaujolais
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.
Cabernet Franc
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.
Pinot Noir
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 lighter.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
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 stronger and warmer, and more floral.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Loire Cabernet Franc
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.
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.
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 stronger and warmer, and more floral.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Loire Cabernet Franc
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.
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.
Northern Rhône Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and spicier.
Rioja Gran Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.
Pinot Noir
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 lighter.
Red Burgundy
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 lighter.
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.