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.
Refine
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 moving away from 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.
Trousseau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less peppery.
Areni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less peppery.
Prokupac
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less peppery.
Zweigelt
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less peppery.
Cornalin
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less peppery.
Egri Bikavér
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less peppery.
Valais Cornalin
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less peppery.
Merlot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- 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.
Trousseau
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 less tannic and softer.
Areni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
Prokupac
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more savoury.
Zweigelt
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less tannic and softer.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Trousseau
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 less tannic and softer.
Areni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
Prokupac
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more savoury.
Zweigelt
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less tannic 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.
Grolleau
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.
Schiava
Schiava scores closest to Mondeuse Noire across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.
English still Pinot Noir
English still Pinot Noir scores closest to Mondeuse Noire across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.
Molinara
Molinara scores closest to Mondeuse Noire across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.
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 less spicy, and lighter.
Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.
Hunter Valley Semillon
Hunter Valley Semillon scores closest to Mondeuse Noire across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.
Colombard
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Merlot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
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 fuller and richer, and more oaky.
Valpolicella Ripasso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more oaky.
Uruguayan Tannat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Merlot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and softer and rounder.
Valpolicella Ripasso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more oaky.
Rioja Crianza
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.
Nero d’Avola
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.
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.
Brunello di Montalcino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more oaky.
Taurasi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more 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 fuller and richer, and more oaky.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Merlot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and softer and rounder.
Valpolicella Ripasso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more oaky.
Fetească Neagră
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.
Rioja Crianza
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.
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 sweeter, and more oaky.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Mondeuse Noire across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and stiller.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Mondeuse Noire across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and stiller.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore scores closest to Mondeuse Noire across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Corvina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.
Valpolicella Ripasso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.
Saperavi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and earthier.
Ruby Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and broader and softer.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Fetească Neagră
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and softer and rounder.
Merlot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and softer and rounder.
Rioja Crianza
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and softer and rounder.
Nero d’Avola
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and softer and rounder.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Pinot Noir
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 earthier.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more oaky.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more aromatic.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more oaky.
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.
Trousseau
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 softer and rounder.
Areni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more oaky.
Prokupac
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and softer and rounder.
Zweigelt
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and softer and rounder.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Pinot Noir
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 earthier.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more oaky.
Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and earthier.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more oaky.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Red Burgundy
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.
Areni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more oaky.
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.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
California Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Mondeuse Noire across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more oaky.
Petite Sirah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fuller and richer.
Zinfandel
Zinfandel scores closest to Mondeuse Noire across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, 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.
Merlot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and softer and rounder.
Red Burgundy
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 earthier.
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 oaky, and broader and softer.
Rioja Crianza
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Trousseau
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 less tannic and softer.
Areni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
Prokupac
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more savoury.
Zweigelt
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less tannic 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.
Trousseau
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 less tannic and softer.
Areni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
Prokupac
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more savoury.
Zweigelt
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less tannic and softer.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Merlot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and softer and rounder.
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 oaky, and broader and softer.
Rioja Crianza
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.
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.
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.