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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 savoury or funky, too drying or too tannic and 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.

Sangiovese

curated

Shared high acidity and savoury tomato-leaf character.

A little less savoury or funky.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Lagrein

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

Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Rosso di Montalcino

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

Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends

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

Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Melnik

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

Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Negroamaro

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

Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Saperavi

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

Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

Bekaa Valley Red

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

Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less floral or soapy.

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.

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.

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.

Different grape, similar feel

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

Lagrein

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

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

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.

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.

Melnik

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

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

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

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

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

Poulsard

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

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

País

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

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

Tibouren

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

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

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

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Valpolicella

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

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Bekaa Valley Red

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

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

Fetească Neagră

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 softer and rounder.

Mavrud

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

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

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 less floral, and more herbal and green.

Saperavi

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

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

Negroamaro

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

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

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.

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Fetească Neagră

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.

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 less tannic and softer.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Lambrusco

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

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

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 more fruit-driven.

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 less floral, and spicier.

Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Pinotage

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

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

Corvina

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 more fruit-driven, and less floral.

Broad-leaved Melnik

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

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

Castelão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Ribera del Duero

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.

Pinotage

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

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

Super Tuscan

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

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

Rioja

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

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

Similar but more aromatic

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

Malbec

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

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

Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

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.

Lagrein

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more aromatic.

Rosso di Montalcino

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more aromatic.

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 aromatic.

Melnik

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

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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.

Douro red

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fuller and richer.

Hawke’s Bay Syrah

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

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.

Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less tannic 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 more savoury

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

Mourvèdre

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

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

Melnik

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

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

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 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.

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.

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.

Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir

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

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

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 more savoury.

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 softer and rounder, and spicier.

Ribera del Duero

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

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

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.

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.

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.

Melnik

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

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

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.

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.

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.

Melnik

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

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

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 more savoury, and less tannic and softer.

Northern Rhône Syrah

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

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

Brunello di Montalcino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barolo

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

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

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.