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, the peppery, spicy character, that the fruit is not covered in oak and the bright red-fruited character, while moving away from too peppery.
- 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.
Trousseau
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.
- Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
- Substantially less peppery.
Areni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- 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.
- Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
- Substantially less peppery.
Graciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Has noticeably less of the peppery, spicy character.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
- Substantially less peppery.
Prokupac
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
- Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
- Substantially less peppery.
Pinot Meunier
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.
- Has noticeably less of the peppery, spicy character.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
- Substantially less peppery.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
- Has noticeably less of the peppery, spicy character.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
- Substantially less peppery.
Cornalin
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the fresh, crisp acidity, though less of it.
- Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
- Keeps that the fruit is not covered in oak.
- Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
- Substantially less peppery.
Loire Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Has noticeably less of the peppery, spicy character.
- Has some of that the fruit is not covered in oak, though less of it.
- Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
- 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 broader and softer.
Areni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.
Graciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fuller and richer.
Prokupac
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, 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.
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 broader and softer.
Areni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.
Graciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fuller and richer.
Prokupac
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, 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.
Grolleau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter.
Molinara
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.
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 less spicy.
Frappato
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.
Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter.
Hunter Valley Semillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter.
Kabinett
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Saperavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more oaky.
Graciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fuller and richer.
Australian Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Pinot Meunier
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 softer and rounder.
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 broader and softer.
Molinara
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter.
Areni
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.
Brunello di Montalcino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.
Aglianico
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more oaky.
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 broader and softer.
Pinot Meunier
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 spicy.
Australian Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more oaky.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Lambrusco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and softer and rounder.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and softer and rounder.
Sparkling Shiraz
Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Mondeuse Noire across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and softer and rounder.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and softer and rounder.
Lambrusco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and softer and rounder.
Saperavi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.
Rondo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and softer and rounder.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Saperavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.
Areni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.
Brunello di Montalcino
Brunello di Montalcino 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.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more oaky.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and softer and rounder.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Cortese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.
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 broader and softer.
Areni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.
Prokupac
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more oaky.
Graciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fuller and richer.
Pinot Meunier
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 softer and rounder.
Loire Cabernet Franc
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 oaky.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Areni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
Chianti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more oaky.
Etna Rosso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more oaky.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Petite Sirah
Petite Sirah scores closest to Mondeuse Noire across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.
Zinfandel
Zinfandel scores closest to Mondeuse Noire across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more oaky.
Primitivo
Primitivo scores closest to Mondeuse Noire across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and softer and rounder.
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 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 Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
Chianti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more oaky.
Cru Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more oaky.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more oaky.
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 broader and softer.
Areni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.
Graciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fuller and richer.
Prokupac
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, 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.
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 broader and softer.
Areni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.
Graciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fuller and richer.
Prokupac
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Brunello di Montalcino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and broader and softer.
Sangiovese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.
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.