If you like this, try…
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 oaky or woody, too heavy, too savoury or funky and 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.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less austere.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- A little less heavy.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less austere.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.
- A little less heavy.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less austere.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less austere.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less heavy.
- A little less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less austere.
Dornfelder
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less austere.
Corvinone
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- A little less heavy.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less austere.
Rondo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- 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.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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 more oaky.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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 more oaky.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
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 oaky.
Dornfelder
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Rondo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
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 oaky, and lighter.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Dornfelder
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Rondo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and spicier.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more oaky.
Valpolicella Ripasso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Tinta Barroca
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 lighter.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more oaky.
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 drier, and lighter.
Saperavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Refosco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Barbera d’Alba
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Montepulciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
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 more fruit-driven, and spicier.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
English sparkling rosé
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less oaky.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more oaky.
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.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
Dornfelder
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
California Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Tannat across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
Pinotage
Pinotage scores closest to Tannat across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Tannat across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
Bolgheri
Bolgheri 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.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Morgon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
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.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less oaky.
Corvinone
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more oaky.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Dornfelder
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Chianti Classico Riserva
Chianti Classico Riserva scores closest to Tannat across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and drier.
Naoussa Xinomavro
Naoussa Xinomavro scores closest to Tannat across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and drier.
Xinomavro
Xinomavro scores closest to Tannat across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and drier.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione scores closest to Tannat across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and drier.
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 spicier.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
Barbera d’Alba
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and drier.
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.
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 more restrained in fruit.
Madiran
Both are made from tannat, and both come from the same country.
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.
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.
Cru Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Cabernet Sauvignon
curatedA structured, tannic red in the same family of wines but far more widely available.
Expect: Noticeably less tannic and more aromatic.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more restrained in fruit.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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 more oaky.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
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.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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 more oaky.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
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 fuller and richer, and spicier.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Cru Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.