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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

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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 peppery, spicy character and that the fruit is not covered in oak, while moving away from too peppery, too light or thin and too alcoholic or warming.

You said you like the peppery, spicy character and that it is too peppery. Both are about spice, 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.

Grenache

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

Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
Has some of that the fruit is not covered in oak, though less of it.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
Has some of that the fruit is not covered in oak, though less of it.
About as peppery as the wine you started from.
Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Cornalin

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
Has noticeably less of that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Primitivo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
Has noticeably less of that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Priorat

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
Has noticeably less of that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Broad-leaved Melnik

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
Has noticeably less of that the fruit is not covered in oak.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Grenache

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

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

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.

Cornalin

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

Grenache

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

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

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.

Cornalin

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

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.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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 spicier.

Grenache

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

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

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

Primitivo

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

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

Grenache

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 oaky.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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 spicier.

Cornalin

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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 spicier.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

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

Primitivo

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

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

Priorat

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and earthier.

Similar but less tannic

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

Grenache

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

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

Primitivo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Argentine Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Australian Grenache

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Priorat

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and earthier.

Petite Sirah

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.

Petit Verdot

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

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

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but softer

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

Grenache

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

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

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Primitivo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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

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

Lambrusco

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

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Grenache

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

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Vintage Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.

Ruby Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Vin Doux Naturel

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and sweeter.

Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and sweeter.

Change the flavour

Same shape, different aromatic character.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Grenache

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

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

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Primitivo

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

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

Similar but more aromatic

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

Nebbiolo

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

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

Barolo

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

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

Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Syrah

curated

A 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.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.

Cornalin

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more aromatic.

Primitivo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more floral

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

Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Grenache

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

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

Petit Verdot

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

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

Nebbiolo

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

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Priorat

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.

Broad-leaved Melnik

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.

Red Bordeaux

Both come from the same country.

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

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 more oaky, and broader and softer.

Petite Sirah

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.

Primitivo di Manduria

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.

Zinfandel

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

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

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.

Grenache

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

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

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.

Primitivo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Priorat

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and earthier.

Something more adventurous

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

Cornalin

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Broad-leaved Melnik

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Cornalin

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Broad-leaved Melnik

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

A step up

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

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.

Grenache

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

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

Priorat

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and earthier.

Amarone della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.

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.