Comparison
Montepulciano vs Syrah
How Montepulciano and Syrah differ, dimension by dimension.
The short answer
The main differences: Syrah has more spice; Syrah has more earthy character; Syrah has more tannin.
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.
Spice
Clear differencePepper, clove, cinnamon and related spice notes, whether from the grape (as with rotundone in Syrah) or from oak.
Syrah is spicier: medium-plus 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.
Syrah is earthier: medium against low.
Tannin
Clear differencePhenolic compounds from grape skins, seeds, stems and oak. The principal structural axis of red wine.
Syrah is more tannic and structured: medium-plus against medium.
Aromatic intensity
Clear differenceHow strongly the wine smells before it is tasted. Some grapes are intrinsically aromatic; others express mainly on the palate.
Syrah is more aromatic: medium-plus against medium.
Oak influence
Clear differencePerceptible impact of barrel or alternative oak contact — vanilla, toast, coconut, smoke, cedar and added texture.
Syrah is more oaky: medium against low-medium.
Savoury character
Clear differenceNon-fruit, umami-adjacent character: meat, leather, olive, soy, broth, cured notes. Often increases with age.
Syrah is more savoury: medium-plus against medium.
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.
- Alcohol: Similar — both medium-plus.
- Body: Similar — both medium-plus.
- Fruit intensity: Similar — both medium-plus.
Full side by side
| Dimension | Montepulciano | Syrah |
|---|---|---|
| Spice | low (1/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) |
| Earthy character | low (1/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Tannin | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) |
| Aromatic intensity | medium (3/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) |
| Oak influence | typically low-medium, ranging from low to medium (2/5) | typically medium, ranging from low to high (3/5) |
| Savoury character | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium (3/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from low-medium to high (4/5) |
| Floral character | low (1/5) | typically low-medium, ranging from low to medium (2/5) |
| Sweetness | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Acidity | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Alcohol | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) |
| Body | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) |
| Fruit intensity | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) |
| Herbal / green 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-plus (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 | black plum, blackberry, dried herbs, liquorice, cocoa | blackberry, black pepper, olive, cured meat, violet |
Values are typical points within each wine’s range. Both wines vary — see the individual pages for how much.
Read more
Grape
Montepulciano
An Adriatic Italian variety producing soft, deeply coloured, affordable reds — and nothing to do with the Tuscan town of the same name.
Grape
Syrah
A peppery, dark-fruited variety that produces two recognisably different wines depending on climate — and two different names to match.
Comparison
Syrah vs Shiraz
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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.
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Cabernet Sauvignon vs Syrah
Two structured reds for a steak — which suits which cut?