If you like this, try…
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.
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 fresh, crisp acidity, while moving away from too light or thin, too peppery, too sharp or acidic and too plain or too simple.
- You said you like the fresh, crisp acidity and that it is too sharp or acidic. Both are about acidity, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
- You said you like the fresh, crisp acidity and that it is too sharp or acidic. Both are about perceived freshness, 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.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Uruguayan Tannat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Has noticeably less of the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Douro red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Red Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Priorat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Tannat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Has noticeably less of the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- 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.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Uruguayan Tannat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more savoury.
Petit Verdot
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 floral.
Douro red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and earthier.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Uruguayan Tannat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more savoury.
Petit Verdot
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 floral.
Douro red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and earthier.
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 less oaky.
País
País scores closest to Mondeuse Noire across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.
Beaujolais
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.
Cinsault
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
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.
English still Pinot Noir
English still Pinot Noir scores closest to Mondeuse Noire across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Petit Verdot
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 floral.
Uruguayan Tannat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more savoury.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Alicante Bouschet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and softer and rounder.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Bolgheri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.
Douro red
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.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Nero d’Avola
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
New Zealand Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Rioja Crianza
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Petit Verdot
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 floral.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and sweeter.
Priorat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and stronger and warmer.
Tannat
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 broader and softer.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Bolgheri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.
Douro red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and earthier.
Nero d’Avola
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
Petit Verdot
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 floral.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Sparkling Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
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.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and fruitier.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Late Bottled Vintage Port
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and stronger and warmer.
Port
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and stronger and warmer.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and sweeter.
Vin Doux Naturel
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Alicante Bouschet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and softer and rounder.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
California Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
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 fresher and more acidic.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
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.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Uruguayan Tannat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more aromatic.
Red Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more aromatic.
Priorat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and stronger and warmer.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Petit Verdot
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 floral.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
Douro red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and earthier.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more floral.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Red Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Douro red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more savoury.
Mourvèdre
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
Priorat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and stronger and warmer.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Petite Sirah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and broader and softer.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and softer and rounder.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and softer and rounder.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
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.
Red Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Priorat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and stronger and warmer.
Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Uruguayan Tannat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more savoury.
Petit Verdot
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 floral.
Douro red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, 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.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Uruguayan Tannat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more savoury.
Petit Verdot
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 floral.
Douro red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and earthier.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
Priorat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and stronger and warmer.
Red Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more herbal and green.
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.