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.

← Back to Madiran

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.

I like…

The firm, grippy structure How full and weighty it is The savoury, meaty side

But it’s a bit…

too drying or too tannic too heavy too oaky or woody too earthy or musty too savoury or funky too austere

Clear all

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 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

curated

Its neighbour, sharing the dark, structured south-west French idiom.

Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
A little less oaky or woody.

Montefalco Sagrantino

curated

The other contender for the world’s most tannic dry red.

Keeps the full body and weight.
About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.

Tannat

Both are made from tannat, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Keeps the full body and weight.
About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.

Carignan

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
A little less oaky or woody.

Morgon

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
A little less oaky or woody.

Negroamaro

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

Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
A little less oaky or woody.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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

Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
A little less oaky or woody.

Montsant

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

Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
A little 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.

Cahors

curated

Its neighbour, sharing the dark, structured south-west French idiom.

Expect: Less tannic and more floral.

Montefalco Sagrantino

curated

The other contender for the world’s most tannic dry red.

Expect: Higher acidity and a more Italian savoury profile.

Tannat

Both are made from tannat, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky.

Carignan

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

Different grape, similar feel

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

Carignan

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

Montefalco Sagrantino

curated

The other contender for the world’s most tannic dry red.

Expect: Higher acidity and a more Italian savoury profile.

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.

Negroamaro

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

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.

Cahors

curated

Its neighbour, sharing the dark, structured south-west French idiom.

Expect: Less tannic and more floral.

Carignan

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

Morgon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

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

Negroamaro

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

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

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.

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.

Fer Servadou

Both are made from fer servadou, and both come from the same country.

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

Cru Beaujolais

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and 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.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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 stronger and warmer.

Alicante Bouschet

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

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

Toro

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and stronger and warmer.

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.

Similar but less tannic

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

Cahors

curated

Its neighbour, sharing the dark, structured south-west French idiom.

Expect: Less tannic and more floral.

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.

Bonarda

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

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

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 more herbal and green.

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.

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.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and stronger and warmer.

Alicante Bouschet

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

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

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.

Cahors

curated

Its neighbour, sharing the dark, structured south-west French idiom.

Expect: Less tannic and more floral.

Similar but sweeter

Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.

Montefalco Sagrantino

curated

The other contender for the world’s most tannic dry red.

Expect: Higher acidity and a more Italian savoury profile.

Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and stronger and warmer.

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Vintage Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and stronger and warmer.

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.

Cahors

curated

Its neighbour, sharing the dark, structured south-west French idiom.

Expect: Less tannic and more floral.

Carignan

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

Bobal

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 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 stronger and warmer.

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.

Barbaresco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.

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.

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.

Gamay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and 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.

Tannat

Both are made from tannat, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more aromatic.

Cahors

curated

Its neighbour, sharing the dark, structured south-west French idiom.

Expect: Less tannic and more floral.

Carignan

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more aromatic.

Montefalco Sagrantino

curated

The other contender for the world’s most tannic dry red.

Expect: Higher acidity and a more Italian savoury profile.

Similar but more floral

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

Cahors

curated

Its neighbour, sharing the dark, structured south-west French idiom.

Expect: Less tannic and more floral.

Barbaresco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more 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 lighter in alcohol.

Graciano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 lighter, and more oaky.

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione

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 more oaky.

Taurasi

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and spicier.

Barolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and spicier.

Similar but fruitier

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

Toro

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, 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 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 spicier, and stronger and warmer.

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 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.

Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends

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.

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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.

Uco Valley Malbec

Both are made from cabernet franc, 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.

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 Classico Riserva

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 both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

Same grape, warmer climate

Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.

Tannat

Both are made from tannat, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fresher and more acidic.

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.

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 stronger and warmer.

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.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

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

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

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and stronger and warmer.

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.

Priorat

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 spicier, and more oaky.

Something more adventurous

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

Cahors

curated

Its neighbour, sharing the dark, structured south-west French idiom.

Expect: Less tannic and more floral.

Montefalco Sagrantino

curated

The other contender for the world’s most tannic dry red.

Expect: Higher acidity and a more Italian savoury profile.

Tannat

Both are made from tannat, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky.

Carignan

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

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.

Cahors

curated

Its neighbour, sharing the dark, structured south-west French idiom.

Expect: Less tannic and more floral.

Tannat

Both are made from tannat, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky.

Carignan

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

Montefalco Sagrantino

curated

The other contender for the world’s most tannic dry red.

Expect: Higher acidity and a more Italian savoury profile.

A step up

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

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and stronger and warmer.

Priorat

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 spicier, and more oaky.

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.

Brunello di Montalcino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and spicier.

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.