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Wines like Xinomavro

Northern Greece’s great red: pale, austere, extremely tannic and scented of dried tomato and olive. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

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What do you like about Xinomavro?

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 bright red fruit The firm, grippy structure How fresh and crisp it is The earthy, mineral side The savoury, meaty side

But it’s a bit…

too tart or sour-fruited too drying or too tannic too sharp or acidic too floral or soapy too earthy or musty too savoury or funky

Clear all

What these words mean

The bright red fruit: Raspberry, redcurrant, sour cherry — lighter and sharper than dark fruit, usually from a cooler place or an earlier picking.
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 fresh and crisp it is: Acidity is what makes your mouth water and makes a wine feel refreshing rather than heavy. It is the single most useful thing to know about your own taste.
The floral character: Rose, violet, elderflower, orange blossom.
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 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.

Looking for something moving away from too tart or sour-fruited, too drying or too tannic, too earthy or musty and 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.

Sangiovese

curated

Shared high acidity and savoury tomato-leaf character.

A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
A little less savoury or funky.

Lagrein

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

A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends

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

A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Saperavi

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

A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Uco Valley Malbec

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

A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

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

A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
A little less savoury or funky.

Carignan

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

A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
A little less savoury or funky.

Syrah

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

A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
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.

Sangiovese

curated

Shared high acidity and savoury tomato-leaf character.

Expect: Softer, fruitier and easier to drink young.

Lagrein

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and softer and rounder.

Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends

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

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and less floral.

Saperavi

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and sweeter.

Different grape, similar feel

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

Sangiovese

curated

Shared high acidity and savoury tomato-leaf character.

Expect: Softer, fruitier and easier to drink young.

Lagrein

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and softer and rounder.

Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends

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

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and less floral.

Saperavi

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and sweeter.

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.

País

País scores closest to Xinomavro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Tibouren

Tibouren scores closest to Xinomavro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Cinsault

Cinsault scores closest to Xinomavro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Poulsard

Poulsard scores closest to Xinomavro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Loire Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Mondeuse Noire

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Red Burgundy

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends

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

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and less floral.

Saperavi

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and sweeter.

Uco Valley Malbec

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

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

Syrah

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and softer and rounder.

Similar but less tannic

For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.

Sangiovese

curated

Shared high acidity and savoury tomato-leaf character.

Expect: Softer, fruitier and easier to drink young.

Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends

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

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and less floral.

Uco Valley Malbec

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

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

Saperavi

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and sweeter.

Similar but softer

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

Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends

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

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and less floral.

Syrah

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and spicier.

Uco Valley Malbec

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

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

Languedoc red

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, 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

Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Xinomavro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Lambrusco

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

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Xinomavro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Franciacorta

Franciacorta scores closest to Xinomavro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Saperavi

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and less floral.

Pinotage

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

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

Corvina

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Valpolicella Ripasso

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, 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.

Cornalin

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and spicier.

Refosco

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.

Bobal

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.

Nero di Troia

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and broader and softer.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Pinotage

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

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

Ribera del Duero

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fuller and richer.

Rioja

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Rioja Reserva

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Similar but more aromatic

More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.

Nebbiolo

curated

The structural parallel is close enough that Xinomavro is routinely used as a Barolo substitute.

Expect: Rose and tar in place of tomato and olive, at several times the price.

Barbaresco

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and earthier.

Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.

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.

Sangiovese

curated

Shared high acidity and savoury tomato-leaf character.

Expect: Softer, fruitier and easier to drink young.

Lagrein

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

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and softer and rounder.

Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends

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

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more herbal and green.

Saperavi

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

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and spicier.

Similar but more floral

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

Uco Valley Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more neutral and subtle.

Hawke’s Bay Syrah

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and spicier.

Argentine Cabernet Franc

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.

Dão

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more restrained in fruit.

Similar but less floral

Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.

Lagrein

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and softer and rounder.

Sangiovese

curated

Shared high acidity and savoury tomato-leaf character.

Expect: Softer, fruitier and easier to drink young.

Saperavi

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and spicier.

Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more herbal and green.

Similar but more savoury

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

Sangiovese

curated

Shared high acidity and savoury tomato-leaf character.

Expect: Softer, fruitier and easier to drink young.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.

Red Bordeaux

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more herbal and green.

Carignan

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.

Similar but fruitier

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

Lagrein

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and softer and rounder.

Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends

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

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and less floral.

Saperavi

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and sweeter.

Uco Valley Malbec

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

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

Change the place

Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Naoussa Xinomavro

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more savoury.

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Naoussa Xinomavro

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and lighter.

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.

Sangiovese

curated

Shared high acidity and savoury tomato-leaf character.

Expect: Softer, fruitier and easier to drink young.

Syrah

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and softer and rounder.

Red Bordeaux

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more herbal and green.

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Something more adventurous

Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.

Lagrein

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and softer and rounder.

Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends

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

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and less floral.

Saperavi

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and sweeter.

Uco Valley Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, 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.

Lagrein

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and softer and rounder.

Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends

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

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and less floral.

Saperavi

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and sweeter.

Uco Valley Malbec

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

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

A step up

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

Northern Rhône Syrah

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

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

Rioja Gran Reserva

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and broader and softer.

Brunello di Montalcino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more savoury.

Barolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more savoury.

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.