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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 firm tannic structure and the full body and weight, while moving away from too savoury or funky.

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.

Toro

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

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Keeps the full body and weight.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Touriga Nacional

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

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Keeps the full body and weight.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

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.

Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
Keeps the full body and weight.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

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.

Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
Keeps the full body and weight.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Montefalco Sagrantino

curated

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

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Keeps the full body and weight.
About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.

Petite Sirah

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

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Keeps the full body and weight.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Petit Verdot

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

Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Keeps the full body and weight.
A little less savoury or funky.

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.

Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
Keeps the full body and weight.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Toro

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Touriga Nacional

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

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more floral.

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 less tannic and softer, 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 less tannic and softer, 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.

Toro

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Touriga Nacional

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

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more floral.

Petite Sirah

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

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

Petit Verdot

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

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

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.

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 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 lighter, 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 lighter, and less tannic and softer.

Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, 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 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 less tannic and softer.

Mondeuse Noire

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 both come from the same country.

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

Dolcetto

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

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

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.

Toro

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Touriga Nacional

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

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more floral.

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 less tannic and softer, 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 less tannic and softer, 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.

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 less tannic and softer, 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 less tannic and softer, and more herbal and green.

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 less tannic and softer, 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 less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

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 less tannic and softer.

Graciano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Bairrada Baga

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

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

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 restrained in fruit.

Similar but softer

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

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 less tannic and softer, 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 less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.

Toro

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

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 less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.

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 lighter.

Lambrusco

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

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Toro

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

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

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 sweeter, and more floral.

Vintage Port

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

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

Port

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.

Montefalco Sagrantino

curated

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

Expect: Higher acidity and a more Italian savoury profile.

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 less tannic and softer.

Refosco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Nero di Troia

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Graciano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 less tannic and softer, and less oaky.

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 less tannic and softer, 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 less tannic and softer, 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 less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

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 less tannic and softer, and lighter.

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 restrained in fruit.

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 less tannic and softer.

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more restrained

For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.

Toro

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, 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 less tannic and softer, 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 less tannic and softer, and more aromatic.

Petite Sirah

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

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

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 more floral, and sweeter.

Petit Verdot

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

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

Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 less tannic and softer.

Similar but more savoury

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

Taurasi

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Brunello di Montalcino

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Barolo

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Chianti Classico Riserva

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon.

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

Similar but fruitier

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

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 less tannic and softer, and more herbal and green.

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 less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.

Petite Sirah

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

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

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 less tannic and softer, 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 less tannic and softer, and more herbal and green.

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 less tannic and softer, 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 less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Chianti Classico

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon.

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

Loire Cabernet Franc

Both are made from cabernet franc, and 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.

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

Chianti

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon.

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

Same grape, warmer climate

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

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 less tannic and softer, 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 less tannic and softer, 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 less tannic and softer, 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 less tannic and softer, 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.

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 less tannic and softer, 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 less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

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 less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.

Priorat

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 more savoury, and stronger and warmer.

Something more adventurous

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

Toro

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Touriga Nacional

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

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more floral.

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 less tannic and softer, 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 less tannic and softer, and more herbal and green.

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.

Toro

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Touriga Nacional

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

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more floral.

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 less tannic and softer, 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 less tannic and softer, and more herbal and green.

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

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

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 less tannic and softer, 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 less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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 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.