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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 keeping the fresh, crisp acidity and the earthy, savoury-mineral character, while moving away from too earthy or musty and too tart or sour-fruited.

You said you like the earthy, savoury-mineral character and that it is too earthy or musty. Both are about earthy character, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
You said you like the fresh, crisp acidity and that it is too tart or sour-fruited. Both are about perceived freshness, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.

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.

Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Has some of the earthy, savoury-mineral character, though less of it.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
A little less tart or sour-fruited.

Nebbiolo

curated

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

Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Keeps the earthy, savoury-mineral character.
About as earthy or musty as the wine you started from.
A little less tart or sour-fruited.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

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

Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Has some of the earthy, savoury-mineral character, though less of it.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
A little less tart or sour-fruited.

Baga

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

Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Has some of the earthy, savoury-mineral character, though less of it.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.

Bairrada Baga

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

Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Has some of the earthy, savoury-mineral character, though less of it.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.

Barbaresco

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

Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Keeps the earthy, savoury-mineral character.
About as earthy or musty as the wine you started from.
A little less tart or sour-fruited.

Taurasi

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

Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Keeps the earthy, savoury-mineral character.
About as earthy or musty as the wine you started from.
A little less tart or sour-fruited.

Barolo

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

Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Keeps the earthy, savoury-mineral character.
About as earthy or musty as the wine you started from.
A little less tart or sour-fruited.

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.

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.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

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

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

Baga

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.

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.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

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

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

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.

Baga

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.

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 softer and rounder.

English still Pinot Noir

English still Pinot Noir scores closest to Xinomavro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

Poulsard

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

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

Molinara

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

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

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.

Red Burgundy

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and earthier.

Loire Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.

English still Pinot Noir

English still Pinot Noir scores closest to Xinomavro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

Cru Beaujolais

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Saperavi

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.

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 fruitier, and less floral.

Rioja

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

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

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.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

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

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

Saperavi

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.

Areni

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.

Similar but softer

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

Rioja

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Rioja Reserva

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Uco Valley Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 fruitier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Lambrusco

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

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Cava

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.

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 fruitier, and spicier.

Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Pinotage

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader 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.

Carignan

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

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

Areni

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.

Refosco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Saperavi

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

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Rioja

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Rioja Reserva

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Pinotage

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Rioja Gran Reserva

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 earthier, and fruitier.

Barolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fruitier.

Cabernet Franc

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

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

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.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

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

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

Baga

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.

Bairrada Baga

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.

Similar but more floral

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

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 earthier, and fruitier.

Barolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fruitier.

Uco Valley Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but less floral

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

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 fruitier, and less floral.

Baga

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.

Bairrada Baga

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.

Similar but more savoury

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

Barolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fruitier.

Taurasi

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

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fruitier.

Chianti Classico Riserva

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

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fruitier.

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 earthier, and fresher.

Similar but fruitier

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

Saperavi

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.

Blaufränkisch

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter.

Morgon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Lagrein

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.

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 lighter, and fresher.

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.

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 earthier, and fruitier.

Barolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fruitier.

Something more adventurous

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

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

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

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

Baga

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.

Bairrada Baga

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.

Taurasi

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

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fruitier.

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.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

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

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

Baga

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.

Bairrada Baga

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.

Taurasi

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

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fruitier.

A step up

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

Barolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fruitier.

Brunello di Montalcino

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and earthier.

Rioja Gran Reserva

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Northern Rhône Syrah

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.