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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.

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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 savoury, non-fruity character and the firm tannic structure, while moving away from too savoury or funky, too oaky or woody and too austere.

You said you like the savoury, non-fruity character and that it is too savoury or funky. Both are about savoury character, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
You said you like the savoury, non-fruity character and that it is too savoury or funky. Both are about fruit intensity, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.

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.

Montefalco Sagrantino

curated

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

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.
Substantially less austere.

Touriga Nacional

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

Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
More oaky or woody, not less.
Substantially less austere.

Sagrantino

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

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.
Substantially less austere.

Cahors

curated

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

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
A little less oaky or woody.
About as austere as the wine you started from.

Tinto Cão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
A little less savoury or funky.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less austere.

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.
Substantially less austere.

Toro

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

Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.
About as austere as the wine you started from.

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
Has noticeably less of the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less oaky or woody.
Substantially less austere.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.

Montefalco Sagrantino

curated

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

Expect: Higher acidity and a more Italian savoury profile.

Touriga Nacional

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

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

Sagrantino

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

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

Cahors

curated

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

Expect: Less tannic and more floral.

Different grape, similar feel

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

Touriga Nacional

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

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

Sagrantino

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

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

curated

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

Expect: Higher acidity and a more Italian savoury profile.

Tinto Cão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, 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.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Dolcetto

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Fer Servadou

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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 drier, 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.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Fer Servadou

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

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

Dornfelder

Dornfelder scores closest to Madiran across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

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.

Touriga Nacional

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

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

Toro

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

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

Sagrantino

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

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

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 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.

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Saperavi

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

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

Tinta Barroca

Tinta Barroca scores closest to Madiran across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Similar but fresher

Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.

Saperavi

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

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

Refosco

Refosco scores closest to Madiran across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Rosso di Montalcino

Rosso di Montalcino scores closest to Madiran across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Similar but softer

Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.

Toro

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

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

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Primitivo di Manduria

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and drier.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and both sit in the same style family.

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

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 less tannic and softer, and more fruit-driven.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Lambrusco

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

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

Vintage Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and sweeter.

Similar but sweeter

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

Touriga Nacional

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

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

Sagrantino

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

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

Tinto Cão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Vintage Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, 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.

Tinto Cão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Tinta Barroca

Tinta Barroca scores closest to Madiran across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Cahors

curated

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

Expect: Less tannic and more floral.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

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 less tannic and softer.

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 drier.

Pinotage

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Similar but more aromatic

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

Barbaresco

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Cabernet Franc

Both are made from cabernet franc, and both come from the same country.

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

Nebbiolo

Nebbiolo scores closest to Madiran across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Malbec

Malbec scores closest to Madiran across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.

Sagrantino

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

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

curated

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

Expect: Higher acidity and a more Italian savoury profile.

Tinto Cão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Touriga Nacional

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

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

Similar but more floral

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

Touriga Nacional

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

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

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cahors

curated

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

Expect: Less tannic and more floral.

Cabernet Franc

Both are made from cabernet franc, and both come from the same country.

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Naoussa Xinomavro

Naoussa Xinomavro scores closest to Madiran across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Xinomavro

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

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

Chianti Classico Riserva

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon.

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

Taurasi

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Touriga Nacional

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

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

Toro

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

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

Washington 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 drier, and spicier.

Primitivo di Manduria

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and drier.

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.

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 drier, and less tannic and softer.

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 drier, and less tannic and softer.

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 drier, and less tannic and softer.

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 drier, and less tannic and softer.

Same grape, cooler climate

Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.

Loire Cabernet Franc

Both are made from cabernet franc, and both come from the same country.

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

Chianti Classico

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon.

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

Chianti

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon.

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

Chianti Classico Riserva

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon.

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

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Washington 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 drier, and spicier.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and both sit in the same style family.

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

California Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, 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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

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

Priorat

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and drier.

Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Something more adventurous

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

curated

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

Expect: Higher acidity and a more Italian savoury profile.

Touriga Nacional

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

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

Sagrantino

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

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

Tinto Cão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

A better-value alternative

Wines that occupy similar sensory territory from regions carrying less price premium. WineHQ does not hold live prices, so this reasons from regional reputation and demand rather than from a price feed — treat it as a lead, not a quote.

Touriga Nacional

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

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

Sagrantino

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

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

curated

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

Expect: Higher acidity and a more Italian savoury profile.

Tinto Cão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

A step up

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

Priorat

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and drier.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.

Brunello di Montalcino

Both sit in the same style family.

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

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.