Comparison
Grenache vs Montepulciano
How Grenache and Montepulciano differ, dimension by dimension.
The short answer
The main differences: Grenache has more herbal / green character; Grenache has more spice; Grenache has more alcohol.
Choose
Grenache
Choose Grenache if you want something more herbal and green, spicier, stronger and warmer.
Choose
Montepulciano
Choose Montepulciano if you prefer its flavour profile — black plum, blackberry, dried herbs.
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.
Herbal / green character
Clear differenceHerbs, grass, blackcurrant leaf, capsicum and other green notes, largely driven by methoxypyrazines and picking decisions.
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.
Grenache is spicier: medium against low.
Alcohol
Clear differencePerceived alcoholic strength, which tracks actual ABV but is modified by sweetness, acidity and body.
Grenache is stronger and warmer: high against medium-plus.
Floral character
Clear differenceBlossom, rose, violet, elderflower, acacia and related aromatic notes.
Grenache is more floral: low-medium against low.
Where they are much the same
Just as useful: knowing which parts of the choice do not matter.
- Sweetness: Similar — both low.
- Acidity: Similar — both medium.
- Tannin: Similar — both medium.
- Body: Similar — both medium-plus.
- Fruit intensity: Similar — both medium-plus.
Full side by side
| Dimension | Grenache | Montepulciano |
|---|---|---|
| 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) |
| Alcohol | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Floral character | typically low-medium, ranging from low to medium (2/5) | low (1/5) |
| Sweetness | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Acidity | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium (3/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Tannin | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium (3/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Body | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) | 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-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Aromatic intensity | medium (3/5) | medium (3/5) |
| Oak influence | typically low-medium, ranging from low to medium (2/5) | typically low-medium, ranging from low to medium (2/5) |
| Savoury character | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium (3/5) |
| Earthy character | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Perceived freshness | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium (3/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium (3/5) |
| Carbonation | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Texture | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Serve at | 15–17°C | 15–17°C |
| Typical flavours | strawberry, raspberry, dried herbs, white pepper, orange peel | black plum, blackberry, dried herbs, liquorice, cocoa |
Values are typical points within each wine’s range. Both wines vary — see the individual pages for how much.
Read more
Grape
Grenache
A pale, high-alcohol, sweetly fruited Mediterranean variety that anchors Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Priorat.
Grape
Montepulciano
An Adriatic Italian variety producing soft, deeply coloured, affordable reds — and nothing to do with the Tuscan town of the same name.
Comparison
Grenache vs Syrah
The two halves of a Rhône blend, and what each one contributes: which brings the weight, which brings the pepper, and what each tastes like on its own.
Comparison
Grenache vs Pinot Noir
Both make pale, red-fruited wine — why do they feel so different?