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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 bright red-fruited character, while moving away from 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.

Etna Rosso

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

Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Nerello Mascalese

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

Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Chianti

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

Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Red Burgundy

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

Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Oregon Pinot Noir

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

Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

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

Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Cru Beaujolais

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

Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Langhe Nebbiolo

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

Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
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.

Etna Rosso

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

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

Nerello Mascalese

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

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

Chianti

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

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

Red Burgundy

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

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

Etna Rosso

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

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

Nerello Mascalese

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

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

Chianti

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

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

Red Burgundy

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

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

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.

Beaujolais

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

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

Valpolicella

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

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

Molinara

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

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

Frappato

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

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

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

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

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

Cru Beaujolais

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

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

Loire Cabernet Franc

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

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

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

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

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

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 fuller and richer, and broader and softer.

Chianti Classico

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more herbal and green.

Northern Rhône Syrah

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Valpolicella Ripasso

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less tannic and softer.

Similar but less tannic

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

Chianti

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

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

Sangiovese

curated

Shared high acidity and savoury tomato-leaf character.

Expect: Softer, fruitier and easier to drink young.

Oregon Pinot Noir

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

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

Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

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

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

Similar but softer

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

Cru Beaujolais

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

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

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Northern Rhône Syrah

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

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

Washington Syrah

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

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

The sparkling version

Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.

Lambrusco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, 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 rosé

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 less tannic and softer, and fruitier.

Lambrusco

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

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

Tinto Cão

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

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

Rondo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Graciano

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Mondeuse Noire

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

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

Etna Rosso

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

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Rioja Gran Reserva

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Rioja

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Rioja Reserva

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Tempranillo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more aromatic

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

Cabernet Franc

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

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

Pinot Noir

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

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

Gamay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Similar but more restrained

For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.

Gavi

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

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

Cortese

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

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

Seyval Blanc

Seyval Blanc scores closest to Xinomavro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Trebbiano d’Abruzzo

Trebbiano d’Abruzzo scores closest to Xinomavro across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Similar but more floral

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

Cru Beaujolais

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

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

Langhe Nebbiolo

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

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

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Dão

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

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

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 tannic and softer, and broader and softer.

Chianti

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

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

Chianti Classico

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more herbal and green.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Etna Rosso

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

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

Nerello Mascalese

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

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

Red Burgundy

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

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

Chianti Classico Riserva

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

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Cru Beaujolais

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

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

Langhe Nebbiolo

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

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

Loire Cabernet Franc

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

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

Oregon Pinot Noir

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

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

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 more tannic and structured.

Same grape, warmer climate

Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher 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 more tannic and structured, and fresher and more acidic.

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.

Chianti

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

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

Red Burgundy

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

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

Oregon Pinot Noir

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

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

Sangiovese

curated

Shared high acidity and savoury tomato-leaf character.

Expect: Softer, fruitier and easier to drink young.

Something more adventurous

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

Etna Rosso

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

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

Nerello Mascalese

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

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

Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

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

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

Langhe Nebbiolo

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

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

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.

Etna Rosso

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

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

Nerello Mascalese

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

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

Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

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

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

Langhe Nebbiolo

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

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

A step up

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

Northern Rhône Syrah

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Rioja Gran Reserva

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.

Brunello di Montalcino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and broader and softer.

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.