If you like this, try…
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.
Refine
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.
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 floral or soapy and too drying or too tannic.
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
curatedShared high acidity and savoury tomato-leaf character.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Chianti Classico Riserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Chianti Classico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Carignan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Lagrein
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Blaufränkisch
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
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
curatedShared high acidity and savoury tomato-leaf character.
Expect: Softer, fruitier and easier to drink young.
Chianti Classico Riserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more herbal and green.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Sangiovese
curatedShared high acidity and savoury tomato-leaf character.
Expect: Softer, fruitier and easier to drink young.
Chianti Classico Riserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more herbal and green.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
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.
Poulsard
Poulsard scores closest to Xinomavro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less floral.
Valpolicella
Valpolicella scores closest to Xinomavro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less floral.
País
País scores closest to Xinomavro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less floral.
Molinara
Molinara scores closest to Xinomavro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less floral.
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.
Mondeuse Noire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more fruit-driven.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less floral.
Valpolicella
Valpolicella scores closest to Xinomavro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less floral.
Loire Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more floral.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Uruguayan Tannat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
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 less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Sangiovese
curatedShared high acidity and savoury tomato-leaf character.
Expect: Softer, fruitier and easier to drink young.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
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 softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Bekaa Valley Red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and spicier.
Jumilla Monastrell
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Mourvèdre
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Negroamaro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
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 less floral.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Xinomavro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less floral.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more floral.
English sparkling rosé
English sparkling rosé scores closest to Xinomavro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less floral.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and sweeter.
Saperavi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and spicier.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more fruit-driven.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Xinomavro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less floral.
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.
Bobal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Broad-leaved Melnik
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Colorino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more fruit-driven.
Cornalin
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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 less floral, and broader and softer.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and softer and rounder.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more fruit-driven.
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.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more floral.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and softer and rounder.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more floral.
Gamay
Gamay scores closest to Xinomavro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more floral.
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
curatedShared high acidity and savoury tomato-leaf character.
Expect: Softer, fruitier and easier to drink young.
Chianti Classico Riserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more aromatic.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more aromatic.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more aromatic.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Langhe Nebbiolo
Langhe Nebbiolo scores closest to Xinomavro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Dão
Dão scores closest to Xinomavro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Cru Beaujolais
Cru Beaujolais scores closest to Xinomavro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less tannic and softer.
Graciano
Graciano scores closest to Xinomavro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Sangiovese
curatedShared high acidity and savoury tomato-leaf character.
Expect: Softer, fruitier and easier to drink young.
Chianti Classico Riserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more herbal and green.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
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.
Chianti Classico Riserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more herbal and green.
Rioja Gran Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less floral.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
Mourvèdre
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and softer and rounder.
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.
Blaufränkisch
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and spicier.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Rosso di Montalcino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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.
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.
Sangiovese
curatedShared high acidity and savoury tomato-leaf character.
Expect: Softer, fruitier and easier to drink young.
Chianti Classico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more herbal and green.
Red Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more herbal and green.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Chianti Classico Riserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more herbal and green.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Carignan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
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.
Chianti Classico Riserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more herbal and green.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Carignan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Rioja Gran Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less floral.
Northern Rhône Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and spicier.
Brunello di Montalcino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less floral.
Barolo
Barolo scores closest to Xinomavro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more tannic and structured.
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.