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Wines like Mondeuse Noire

Savoie’s peppery Alpine red, established by DNA analysis as a close relative of Syrah. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

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What do you like about Mondeuse Noire?

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 bright red fruit The rich dark fruit How fresh and crisp it is The firm, grippy structure That it is not oaky The spice

But it’s a bit…

too tart or sour-fruited too sharp or acidic too alcoholic or warming too light or thin too plain or too simple too peppery

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What these words mean

The bright red fruit: Raspberry, redcurrant, sour cherry — lighter and sharper than dark fruit, usually from a cooler place or an earlier picking.
The rich dark fruit: Blackberry, plum, black cherry — fruit that tastes ripe and generous rather than tart. It comes from warm-climate ripening and it is what most people mean when they call a red "fruity".
How fresh and crisp it is: Acidity is what makes your mouth water and makes a wine feel refreshing rather than heavy. It is the single most useful thing to know about your own taste.
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.
That it is not too strong: Alcohol you notice as warmth at the back of the throat. Some people find it a pleasant part of a big red and some find it tiring.
How light it is: A wine you can drink without it feeling like a commitment. Usually lower in alcohol as well as lighter in the mouth.
That it is not oaky: No barrel character — just the fruit and the acidity. Chablis and Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc are the reference points.
The spice: Black pepper, clove, cinnamon. Some of it is the grape — the pepper in Syrah is a measured compound called rotundone — and some is the barrel.

Looking for something moving away from too light or thin and too tart or sour-fruited.

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.

Red Bordeaux

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

Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.

Carignan

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

Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.

Cahors

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

Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.

Sangiovese

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

Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

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

Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.

Aglianico

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

Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.

Taurasi

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

Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.

Syrah

curated

A close genetic relative with the same peppery signature.

Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Red Bordeaux

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

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

Carignan

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.

Cahors

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.

Sangiovese

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

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

Red Bordeaux

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

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

Carignan

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.

Cahors

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.

Sangiovese

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

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

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.

Grolleau

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

Tibouren

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

Portugieser

Portugieser scores closest to Mondeuse Noire across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

País

País scores closest to Mondeuse Noire across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

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.

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.

Red Bordeaux

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

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

Carignan

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.

Cahors

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.

Sangiovese

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

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Mourvèdre

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and softer and rounder.

Syrah

curated

A close genetic relative with the same peppery signature.

Expect: Fuller-bodied and riper.

Rioja

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more oaky.

Rioja Reserva

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more oaky.

Similar but less tannic

For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more oaky.

Valpolicella Ripasso

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.

Australian Grenache

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

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

Rioja Crianza

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fruitier.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Aglianico

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

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

Taurasi

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

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

Nebbiolo

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

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

Barolo

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

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

Similar but softer

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

Mourvèdre

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more oaky.

Tempranillo

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more oaky.

Rioja

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more oaky.

Rioja Reserva

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader 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 fruitier, and broader and softer.

Lambrusco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

Red Bordeaux

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

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fruitier.

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fruitier.

Valpolicella Ripasso

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

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

Corvina

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

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

Change the flavour

Same shape, different aromatic character.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Mourvèdre

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and softer and rounder.

Rioja

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more oaky.

Rioja Reserva

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more oaky.

Tempranillo

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more oaky.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Barbaresco

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

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

Barolo

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

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

Nebbiolo

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

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

Syrah

curated

A close genetic relative with the same peppery signature.

Expect: Fuller-bodied and riper.

Similar but more restrained

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

Red Bordeaux

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

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

Carignan

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

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less spicy.

Sangiovese

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

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

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

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

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

Similar but more floral

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

Barbaresco

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.

Barolo

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

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

Nebbiolo

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

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

Cahors

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.

Similar but more savoury

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

Aglianico

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

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

Barbaresco

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

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

Barolo

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

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

Cahors

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less spicy.

Similar but fruitier

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

Zinfandel

Zinfandel scores closest to Mondeuse Noire across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.

Petite Sirah

Petite Sirah scores closest to Mondeuse Noire across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

California Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Mondeuse Noire across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.

Primitivo

Primitivo scores closest to Mondeuse Noire across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.

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.

Syrah

curated

A close genetic relative with the same peppery signature.

Expect: Fuller-bodied and riper.

Red Bordeaux

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

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

Sangiovese

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

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

Nebbiolo

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

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

Something more adventurous

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

Carignan

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.

Cahors

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.

Aglianico

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

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

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.

Carignan

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.

Cahors

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and earthier.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.

Aglianico

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

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

A step up

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

Barbaresco

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.

Barolo

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

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

Nebbiolo

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

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

Red Bordeaux

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more herbal and green.

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.