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 and the rich, ripe dark fruit.
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 fresh, crisp acidity.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
Loire Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
Barbera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
Valpolicella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
Barbera d’Asti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
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.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
Gamay
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.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
Beaujolais
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.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
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 less spicy, and more floral.
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 more savoury, and more herbal and green.
Barbera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less tannic and softer.
Valpolicella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, 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.
Graciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more floral.
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 more savoury, and more herbal and green.
Barbera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less tannic and softer.
Valpolicella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, 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.
English still Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more savoury.
Valpolicella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less tannic and softer.
Beaujolais
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.
Molinara
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, 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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more savoury.
Kabinett
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter.
Loureiro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more floral.
Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and sweeter.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Graciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more floral.
Barbera d’Asti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less tannic and softer.
Barbera d’Alba
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Australian Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Barbera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less tannic and softer.
Barbera d’Asti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less tannic 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 tannic and softer.
Gamay
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.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Baga
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Bairrada Baga
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Brunello di Montalcino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and broader and softer.
Aglianico
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and broader and softer.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
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 tannic and softer.
Gamay
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.
Australian Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and less spicy.
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 softer and rounder, and stiller.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and stiller.
Sparkling Shiraz
Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Mondeuse Noire across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and softer and rounder.
English sparkling rosé
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more sparkling.
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 softer and rounder, and sweeter.
Lambrusco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more sparkling.
Rondo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Dornfelder
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Barbera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less tannic and softer.
Barbera d’Asti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less tannic and softer.
Barbera d’Alba
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Blaufränkisch
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and broader and softer.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Gamay
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.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, 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.
Cortese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less tannic and softer.
Gavi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more savoury.
Jacquère
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less tannic and softer.
Seyval Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and softer and rounder.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Gamay
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.
Graciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more floral.
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 more savoury, and more herbal and green.
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 tannic and softer.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
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 more savoury, and more herbal and green.
Blaufränkisch
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and broader and softer.
English still Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Langhe Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less spicy.
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 fruitier, 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 fruitier.
Primitivo
Primitivo scores closest to Mondeuse Noire across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Primitivo di Manduria
Primitivo di Manduria scores closest to Mondeuse Noire across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, 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.
Barbera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less tannic and softer.
Gamay
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.
Beaujolais
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.
Oregon Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more oaky.
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 less spicy, and more floral.
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 more savoury, and more herbal and green.
Valpolicella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less tannic and softer.
Barbera d’Asti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, 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.
Graciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more floral.
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 more savoury, and more herbal and green.
Valpolicella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less tannic and softer.
Barbera d’Asti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less tannic and softer.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Chianti Classico
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Brunello di Montalcino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and broader and softer.
Sangiovese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
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.