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.
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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.
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 bright red-fruited character, while moving away from too floral or soapy.
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.
Chianti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Baga
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Bairrada Baga
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Barbera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Chianti Classico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Sangiovese
curatedShared high acidity and savoury tomato-leaf character.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Mondeuse Noire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Naoussa Xinomavro
Both are made from xinomavro, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
- About as floral or soapy as the wine you started from.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Chianti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less tannic and softer.
Baga
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Bairrada Baga
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Barbera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Chianti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less tannic and softer.
Baga
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Bairrada Baga
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Barbera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, 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.
Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Molinara
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
País
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
Tibouren
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
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 fruitier.
Molinara
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Valpolicella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Red Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less floral.
Brunello di Montalcino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
Baga
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less floral.
Bairrada Baga
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less floral.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Barbera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
Chianti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less tannic and softer.
Sangiovese
curatedShared high acidity and savoury tomato-leaf character.
Expect: Softer, fruitier and easier to drink young.
Molinara
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less floral.
Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Xinomavro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less floral.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fruitier.
Sparkling Shiraz
Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Xinomavro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fruitier.
English sparkling wine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less tannic and softer.
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 softer and rounder, and less floral.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Saperavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Rondo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, 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.
Chianti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less tannic and softer.
Molinara
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Mondeuse Noire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less floral.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Rioja
Rioja scores closest to Xinomavro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and softer and rounder.
Rioja Reserva
Rioja Reserva scores closest to Xinomavro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and softer and rounder.
Rioja Gran Reserva
Rioja Gran Reserva scores closest to Xinomavro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and softer and rounder.
Pinotage
Pinotage scores closest to Xinomavro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and softer and rounder.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Nebbiolo
curatedThe 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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and broader and softer.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and broader and softer.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, 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.
Gavi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Cortese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Muscadet
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Melon de Bourgogne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Nebbiolo
curatedThe 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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and broader and softer.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and broader and softer.
Langhe Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fruitier.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Areni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Baga
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Bairrada Baga
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Barbera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
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.
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 more floral, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Chianti Classico Riserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Taurasi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Chianti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Barbera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Mondeuse Noire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Rosso di Montalcino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less tannic and softer.
Barbera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
Chianti Classico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Baga
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Bairrada Baga
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Mondeuse Noire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
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 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.
Baga
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Bairrada Baga
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Mondeuse Noire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
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 more floral.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Brunello di Montalcino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fuller and richer.
Rioja Gran Reserva
Rioja Gran Reserva scores closest to Xinomavro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and softer and rounder.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fuller and richer.
Northern Rhône Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
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.