Comparison
Australian Grenache vs Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
How Australian Grenache and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano differ, dimension by dimension.
The short answer
The main differences: Australian Grenache has more floral character; Vino Nobile di Montepulciano has more savoury character; Australian Grenache has more herbal / green character.
Choose
Australian Grenache
Choose Australian Grenache if you want something more floral, more herbal and green, spicier.
Choose
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Choose Vino Nobile di Montepulciano if you want something more savoury, earthier, fresher and more acidic.
Where they genuinely differ
Only differences large enough to notice in the glass are listed here. A gap of half a point on a five-point scale is noise, and WineHQ does not dress it up as a finding.
Floral character
Clear differenceBlossom, rose, violet, elderflower, acacia and related aromatic notes.
Australian Grenache is more floral: medium-plus against low.
Savoury character
Clear differenceNon-fruit, umami-adjacent character: meat, leather, olive, soy, broth, cured notes. Often increases with age.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is more savoury: medium-plus against low-medium.
Herbal / green character
Clear differenceHerbs, grass, blackcurrant leaf, capsicum and other green notes, largely driven by methoxypyrazines and picking decisions.
Australian Grenache is more herbal and green: medium against low.
Spice
Clear differencePepper, clove, cinnamon and related spice notes, whether from the grape (as with rotundone in Syrah) or from oak.
Australian Grenache is spicier: medium against low.
Earthy character
Clear differenceForest floor, mushroom, wet stone, clay and undergrowth notes. Frequently, though not exclusively, associated with cooler and more traditional styles.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is earthier: medium against low.
Acidity
Clear differenceTotal perceived acidity. Rises in cooler climates and with earlier picking; falls with heat and ripeness.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is fresher and more acidic: high against medium-plus.
Where they are much the same
Just as useful: knowing which parts of the choice do not matter.
- Sweetness: Similar — both low.
- Alcohol: Similar — both medium-plus.
- Body: Similar — both medium-plus.
- Aromatic intensity: Similar — both medium.
- Perceived freshness: Similar — both medium-plus.
Full side by side
| Dimension | Australian Grenache | Vino Nobile di Montepulciano |
|---|---|---|
| Floral character | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | low (1/5) |
| Savoury character | low-medium (2/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Herbal / green character | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | low (1/5) |
| Spice | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | low (1/5) |
| Earthy character | low (1/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Acidity | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) |
| Tannin | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium (3/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Fruit intensity | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Oak influence | typically low-medium, ranging from low to medium (2/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Texture | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Sweetness | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Alcohol | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Body | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Aromatic intensity | medium (3/5) | medium (3/5) |
| Perceived freshness | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) |
| Carbonation | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Serve at | 14–16°C | 15–17°C |
| Typical flavours | red cherry, raspberry, rose, white pepper, dried herbs | sour cherry, plum, dried herbs, leather, tobacco |
Values are typical points within each wine’s range. Both wines vary — see the individual pages for how much.