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 rich, ripe dark fruit, while moving away from too light or thin, too plain or too simple and too peppery.
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.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less peppery.
Alicante Bouschet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less peppery.
Primitivo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less peppery.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less peppery.
Uruguayan Tannat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the rich, ripe dark fruit, though less of it.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less peppery.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less peppery.
Douro red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the rich, ripe dark fruit, though less of it.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less peppery.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less peppery.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Petit Verdot
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 more floral.
Alicante Bouschet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and softer and rounder.
Primitivo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stronger and warmer.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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.
Petit Verdot
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 more floral.
Alicante Bouschet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and softer and rounder.
Primitivo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stronger and warmer.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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.
Beaujolais
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.
Valpolicella
Valpolicella scores closest to Mondeuse Noire across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.
Grolleau
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
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.
Petit Verdot
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 broader and softer.
Alicante Bouschet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and softer and rounder.
Barbera d’Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter.
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 fruitier, and more savoury.
Barossa Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
Bolgheri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Primitivo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stronger and warmer.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Merlot
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.
Nero d’Avola
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
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 more savoury, and more floral.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Priorat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, 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 more savoury.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Agiorgitiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Alicante Bouschet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and broader and softer.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Douro red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and earthier.
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 fruitier.
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.
Petit Verdot
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 savoury.
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 fruitier, and more savoury.
Port
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
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 fruitier, and more savoury.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Agiorgitiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Alentejo red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
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.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
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 more savoury.
Syrah
curatedA 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.
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.
Alicante Bouschet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more aromatic.
Primitivo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stronger and warmer.
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 more savoury, and more aromatic.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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 more savoury, and broader and softer.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Douro red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and earthier.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Douro red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more floral.
Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less spicy.
Madiran
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less spicy.
Cabernet Sauvignon
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 lighter.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Primitivo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stronger and warmer.
Petite Sirah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less spicy.
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.
Primitivo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and stronger and warmer.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Merlot
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.
Super Tuscan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Petit Verdot
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 more floral.
Alicante Bouschet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and softer and rounder.
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 more savoury, and broader and softer.
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.
Petit Verdot
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 more floral.
Alicante Bouschet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and softer and rounder.
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 more savoury, and broader and softer.
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 fruitier, and more savoury.
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 more savoury.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Merlot
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.
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.