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 bright red-fruited character and the rich, ripe dark fruit, while moving away from too light or thin.
- 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.
Graciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Barbera d’Asti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Alicante Bouschet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of the bright red-fruited character.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Australian Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Petit Verdot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Has noticeably less of the bright red-fruited character.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Rosso di Montalcino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
- Has some of the rich, ripe dark fruit, though less of it.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Super Tuscan
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of the bright red-fruited character.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Graciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.
Barbera d’Asti
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 broader and softer, and softer and rounder.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Graciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.
Barbera d’Asti
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 broader and softer, and softer and rounder.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
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.
Frappato
Frappato scores closest to Mondeuse Noire across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Cinsault
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
Valpolicella
Valpolicella 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.
Graciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.
Barbera d’Asti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Pinot Meunier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
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 broader and softer, and softer and rounder.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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 savoury.
Super Tuscan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more savoury.
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 more savoury.
Australian Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
Barbera d’Alba
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Petit Verdot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more savoury.
Petite Sirah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fruitier.
Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more savoury.
Madiran
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more savoury.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Alicante Bouschet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more oaky.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Australian Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
Petit Verdot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more savoury.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
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 lighter.
Touriga Nacional
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 lighter.
Corvina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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 broader and softer, and softer and rounder.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Petit Verdot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more savoury.
Super Tuscan
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more savoury.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter.
Syrah
curatedA close genetic relative with the same peppery signature.
Expect: Fuller-bodied and riper.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Morgon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
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.
Barbera d’Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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 broader and softer, and more aromatic.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Rosso di Montalcino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Graciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Australian Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Morgon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
Chianti Classico
Chianti Classico scores closest to Mondeuse Noire across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
Baga
Baga scores closest to Mondeuse Noire across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
Bairrada Baga
Bairrada Baga scores closest to Mondeuse Noire across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
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 fruitier, and broader and softer.
Primitivo
Primitivo scores closest to Mondeuse Noire across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fruitier.
Primitivo di Manduria
Primitivo di Manduria scores closest to Mondeuse Noire across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fruitier.
Zinfandel
Zinfandel 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
curatedA close genetic relative with the same peppery signature.
Expect: Fuller-bodied and riper.
Super Tuscan
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more savoury.
Ribera del Duero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more savoury.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fruitier.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Graciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.
Barbera d’Asti
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 broader and softer, and softer and rounder.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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.
Graciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.
Barbera d’Asti
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 broader and softer, and softer and rounder.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Super Tuscan
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more savoury.
Ribera del Duero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more savoury.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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 fruitier.
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.