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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

Clear all

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 keeping the bright red-fruited character, while moving away from too light or thin, too alcoholic or warming and too plain or too simple.

You said you like the bright red-fruited character and that it is too light or thin. Both are about body, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.

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.

Priorat

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

Has noticeably less of the bright red-fruited character.
Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

Has noticeably less of the bright red-fruited character.
Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

Sagrantino

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

Has noticeably less of the bright red-fruited character.
Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

Petite Sirah

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

Has noticeably less of the bright red-fruited character.
Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

Has noticeably less of the bright red-fruited character.
Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

Has noticeably less of the bright red-fruited character.
Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

Barbera d’Asti

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

Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Priorat

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

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less spicy.

Sagrantino

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

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

Petite Sirah

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

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

Priorat

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

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less spicy.

Sagrantino

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

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

Petite Sirah

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

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

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.

Beaujolais

Both come from the same country.

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

Valpolicella

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

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

Priorat

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

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less spicy.

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.

Barbera d’Asti

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Chianti Classico

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Baga

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Bairrada Baga

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

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

Petite Sirah

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

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

Priorat

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

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

Similar but less tannic

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

Barbera d’Asti

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

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

Barbera d’Alba

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Primitivo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Zinfandel

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Priorat

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

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less spicy.

Sagrantino

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

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

Petite Sirah

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

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

Similar but softer

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

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

Priorat

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

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

Petite Sirah

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

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

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

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 broader and softer, and lighter.

Lambrusco

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.

Priorat

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Sagrantino

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

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

Vin Doux Naturel

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

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

Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Late Bottled Vintage Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Change the flavour

Same shape, different aromatic character.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

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

Petite Sirah

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

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

Priorat

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

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

Similar but more aromatic

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

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Syrah

curated

A close genetic relative with the same peppery signature.

Expect: Fuller-bodied and riper.

Barbaresco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more restrained

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

Priorat

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

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

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

Sagrantino

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

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

Petite Sirah

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

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

Similar but more floral

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

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barbaresco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Priorat

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

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

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

Chianti Classico

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Sagrantino

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

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Petite Sirah

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Primitivo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Primitivo di Manduria

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Zinfandel

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Priorat

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

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

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

Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Something more adventurous

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

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less spicy.

Sagrantino

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

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

Petite Sirah

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

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

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

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.

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less spicy.

Sagrantino

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

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

Petite Sirah

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

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

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

A step up

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

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

Priorat

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

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

Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.