If you like this, try…
Wines like Madiran
Tannat from south-west France: among the most tannic red wines made anywhere, and the birthplace of micro-oxygenation. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Madiran?
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.
- How full and weighty it is
- Body is how much the wine seems to fill your mouth — the difference between skimmed and whole milk. It comes mostly from alcohol and ripeness.
- 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 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 keeping the full body and weight, while moving away from too earthy or musty.
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.
Uruguayan Tannat
Both are made from tannat, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Bolgheri
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Uruguayan Tannat
Both are made from tannat, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and spicier.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and spicier.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more herbal and green.
Bolgheri
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
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.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more floral.
Argentine Malbec
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 less tannic and softer.
Alicante Bouschet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and sweeter.
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.
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Hawke’s Bay Bordeaux blend
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.
Fer Servadou
Both are made from fer servadou, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Trousseau
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
Cerasuolo di Vittoria scores closest to Madiran across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Pinot Meunier
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
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.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more herbal and green.
Uruguayan Tannat
Both are made from tannat, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and spicier.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and spicier.
Bolgheri
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, 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.
Alicante Bouschet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Amarone della Valpolicella
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 stronger and warmer.
Argentine Malbec
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 less tannic and softer.
Barossa Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and stronger and warmer.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Refosco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Rosso di Montalcino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Barbera d’Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Barbera d’Alba
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Alicante Bouschet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Argentine Malbec
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 less tannic and softer.
Barossa Shiraz
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 stronger and warmer.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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 lighter, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Madiran across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Madiran across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Uruguayan Tannat
Both are made from tannat, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Amarone della Valpolicella
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 stronger and warmer.
Late Bottled Vintage Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and stronger and warmer.
Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and stronger and warmer.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and sweeter.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Cornalin
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Refosco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Nero di Troia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Bolgheri
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less oaky.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and stronger and warmer.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and stronger and warmer.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less oaky.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more herbal and green.
Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and earthier.
Gamay
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
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.
Uruguayan Tannat
Both are made from tannat, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more aromatic.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more aromatic.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more aromatic.
Bolgheri
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more aromatic.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more floral.
Argentine Malbec
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 less tannic and softer.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more 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 lighter.
Chianti Classico Riserva
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and lighter.
Barolo
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and lighter.
Rioja Gran Reserva
Rioja Gran Reserva scores closest to Madiran across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and lighter.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Argentine Malbec
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 less tannic and softer.
Barossa Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and stronger and warmer.
Bolgheri
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more herbal and green.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
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 stronger and warmer.
Change the place
Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.
Same grape, somewhere else
Holds the variety constant and changes the place, which is often a bigger change than swapping the grape.
Uruguayan Tannat
Both are made from tannat, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and spicier.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and spicier.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more herbal and green.
Bolgheri
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more herbal and green.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
Chianti Classico
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and earthier.
Chianti
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and earthier.
Chianti Classico Riserva
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and earthier.
Loire Cabernet Franc
Both are made from cabernet franc, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and earthier.
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.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and stronger and warmer.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and stronger and warmer.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and spicier.
Bolgheri
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more herbal and green.
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.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more herbal and green.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and stronger and warmer.
Argentine Malbec
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 less tannic and softer.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and stronger and warmer.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Uruguayan Tannat
Both are made from tannat, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and spicier.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and spicier.
Bolgheri
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more herbal and green.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and stronger and warmer.
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.
Uruguayan Tannat
Both are made from tannat, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and spicier.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and spicier.
Bolgheri
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more herbal and green.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and stronger and warmer.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
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.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and stronger and warmer.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and stronger and warmer.
Argentine Malbec
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 less tannic 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.