If you like this, try…
Wines like Mavrud
Bulgaria’s most structured indigenous red, from the Thracian Lowlands. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Mavrud?
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 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.
- The vanilla and oak
- Vanilla, toast, coconut, sweet spice, sometimes smoke. It comes from the barrel rather than the grape, which is why the same grape can taste completely different with and without it.
- The spice
- Black pepper, clove, cinnamon. Some of it is the grape — the pepper in Syrah is a measured compound called rotundone — and some is the barrel.
- 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.
- 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.
- That it is properly dry
- No perceptible sugar at all. Almost all red wine is dry and a good deal of white wine is not, which is why this is a more useful thing to say about a white than about a red.
Looking for something moving away from too earthy or musty and too oaky or woody.
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.
Valais Cornalin
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
Valpolicella Ripasso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
Prokupac
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
Areni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
Zweigelt
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
Australian Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
Cornalin
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Valais Cornalin
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fresher.
Valpolicella Ripasso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and sweeter.
Prokupac
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and lighter.
Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, 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.
Valais Cornalin
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fresher.
Valpolicella Ripasso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and sweeter.
Prokupac
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and lighter.
Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more herbal and green.
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.
Trousseau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Dolcetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, 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.
Trousseau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Gamay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Toro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more oaky.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Valpolicella Ripasso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and sweeter.
Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more herbal and green.
Australian Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more floral.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Petit Verdot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Toro
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more oaky.
Petite Sirah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Areni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and lighter.
Rosso di Montalcino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Refosco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more herbal and green.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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 more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Mavrud across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Mavrud across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Franciacorta
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Ruby Port
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and sweeter.
Valpolicella Ripasso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fresher.
Vintage Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and sweeter.
Tinta Barroca
Tinta Barroca scores closest to Mavrud across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
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.
Valais Cornalin
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fresher.
Valpolicella Ripasso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and sweeter.
Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more herbal and green.
Prokupac
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and lighter.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Barossa Shiraz
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Super Tuscan
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Bolgheri
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Gamay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more herbal and green.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Pinot Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Koshu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Gamay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.
Australian Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less floral.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Taurasi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more oaky.
Barolo
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more oaky.
Naoussa Xinomavro
curatedA comparably tannic, savoury Balkan red that needs time.
Expect: Xinomavro is much paler and higher in acid.
Brunello di Montalcino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more oaky.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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.
Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more herbal and green.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.
Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Valais Cornalin
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fresher.
Valpolicella Ripasso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and sweeter.
Prokupac
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and lighter.
Areni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fresher and more acidic.
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.
Valais Cornalin
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fresher.
Valpolicella Ripasso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and sweeter.
Prokupac
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and lighter.
Areni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fresher and more acidic.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and spicier.
Ribera del Duero
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and earthier.
Priorat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more oaky.
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.