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 drying or too tannic, 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.
Cahors
curatedIts neighbour, sharing the dark, structured south-west French idiom.
- Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- More earthy or musty, not less.
- A little less oaky or woody.
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 drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- More oaky or woody, not less.
Chilean 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.
- Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- A little less oaky or woody.
Coonawarra 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.
- Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.
Margaret River 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.
- Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.
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 drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- More oaky or woody, not less.
Alicante Bouschet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- About as oaky or woody 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.
Cahors
curatedIts neighbour, sharing the dark, structured south-west French idiom.
Expect: Less tannic and more floral.
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 spicier, and more oaky.
Chilean 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 lighter, and more oaky.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Alicante Bouschet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Rosso di Montalcino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic 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.
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 more oaky.
Fer Servadou
Both are made from fer servadou, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
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 more oaky.
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 more oaky.
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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Cabernet Franc
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Loire Cabernet Franc
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, 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.
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 spicier, and more oaky.
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 spicier, and more oaky.
Alicante Bouschet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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 spicier, 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.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter.
Montepulciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter.
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 spicier, and more oaky.
Chilean 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 lighter, and more oaky.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Rosso di Montalcino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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 less oaky.
Graciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Saperavi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and spicier.
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 more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and less tannic and softer.
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 spicier.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Madiran across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Madiran across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
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 spicier.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Corvinone
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Ruby Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and spicier.
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 less oaky, and lighter.
Refosco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Corvinone
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Graciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
Bolgheri
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and lighter.
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 spicier.
Cabernet Franc
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
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 spicier.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
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 spicier, and more oaky.
Chilean 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 lighter, and more oaky.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Coonawarra 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 lighter, and more oaky.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
Both are made from cabernet franc, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and spicier.
Graciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Cabernet Franc
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Chianti Classico Riserva
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and lighter.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and lighter.
Northern Rhône Syrah
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and spicier.
Taurasi
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more tannic and structured.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
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 spicier, and more oaky.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and less tannic and softer.
Sonoma 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 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 spicier, and more oaky.
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 spicier, and more oaky.
Chilean 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 lighter, and more oaky.
Coonawarra 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 lighter, and more oaky.
Margaret River 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 lighter, and more oaky.
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 more oaky.
Chianti
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Loire Cabernet Franc
Both are made from cabernet franc, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Chianti Classico Riserva
Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
Sonoma 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 more oaky, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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 spicier, and more 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 more oaky, and spicier.
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 spicier, and more oaky.
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.
Chilean 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 lighter, and more oaky.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and less tannic and softer.
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 spicier.
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 spicier, and more oaky.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Coonawarra 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 lighter, and more oaky.
Margaret River 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 lighter, and more oaky.
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 spicier, and more oaky.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Coonawarra 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 lighter, and more oaky.
Margaret River 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 lighter, and more oaky.
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 spicier, and more oaky.
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.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and less tannic and softer.
Ribera del Duero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
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.