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Wines like Montepulciano
An Adriatic Italian variety producing soft, deeply coloured, affordable reds — and nothing to do with the Tuscan town of the same name. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Montepulciano?
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 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".
- The bright red fruit
- Raspberry, redcurrant, sour cherry — lighter and sharper than dark fruit, usually from a cooler place or an earlier picking.
- How smooth and soft it is
- Low tannin. Tannin is the drying, gum-gripping sensation in red wine — like strong tea. A smooth red has little of it.
- How full and weighty it is
- Body is how much the wine seems to fill your mouth — the difference between skimmed and whole milk. It comes mostly from alcohol and ripeness.
- That it is not oaky
- No barrel character — just the fruit and the acidity. Chablis and Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc are the reference points.
- That it is properly dry
- No perceptible sugar at all. Almost all red wine is dry and a good deal of white wine is not, which is why this is a more useful thing to say about a white than about a red.
Looking for something moving away from too heavy, too soft or too easy and too austere.
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.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- A little less heavy.
- Substantially less soft or too easy.
- Substantially less austere.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less heavy.
- A little less soft or too easy.
- Substantially less austere.
Rondinella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less heavy.
- A little less soft or too easy.
- Substantially less austere.
Dolcetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less soft or too easy.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
Dornfelder
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less heavy.
- A little less soft or too easy.
- Substantially less austere.
Rondo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less heavy.
- A little less soft or too easy.
- Substantially less austere.
Colorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less soft or too easy.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- About as heavy as the wine you started from.
- A little less soft or too easy.
- Substantially less austere.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more sparkling.
Rondinella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and drier.
Dolcetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more sparkling.
Rondinella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and drier.
Dolcetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more sparkling.
Rondinella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and drier.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.
Dornfelder
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and drier.
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.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more sparkling.
Dornfelder
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and drier.
Rondo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and drier.
Fer Servadou
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Touriga Nacional
Touriga Nacional scores closest to Montepulciano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Primitivo di Manduria
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Primitivo
curatedBoth are generous, affordable southern Italian reds.
Expect: Riper, jammier and higher in alcohol.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
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.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more sparkling.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.
Rondinella
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and drier.
Dornfelder
Dornfelder scores closest to Montepulciano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and drier.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.
Naoussa Xinomavro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Xinomavro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more sparkling.
Naoussa Xinomavro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Xinomavro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
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.
Dolcetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Tinta Barroca
Tinta Barroca scores closest to Montepulciano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fuller and richer.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fresher and more acidic.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stiller.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and drier.
Sparkling Shiraz
Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Montepulciano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fuller and richer.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stiller.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more sparkling.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less tannic and softer.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but less oaky
One of the commonest requests in wine. Strips oak influence while holding grape character and weight.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more sparkling.
Rondinella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and drier.
Dornfelder
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and drier.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less tannic and softer.
Pinotage
Pinotage scores closest to Montepulciano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
California Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Montepulciano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fuller and richer.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Barbaresco
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Nebbiolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Barolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc scores closest to Montepulciano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic 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.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more sparkling.
Rondinella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and drier.
Dolcetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Dornfelder
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and drier.
Naoussa Xinomavro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Xinomavro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Naoussa Xinomavro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Xinomavro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Etna Rosso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Nerello Mascalese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
California Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Montepulciano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fuller and richer.
Primitivo
curatedBoth are generous, affordable southern Italian reds.
Expect: Riper, jammier and higher in alcohol.
Zinfandel
Zinfandel scores closest to Montepulciano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fuller and richer.
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.
Barbaresco
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Nebbiolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Barolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Cru Beaujolais
Cru Beaujolais scores closest to Montepulciano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more sparkling.
Rondinella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and drier.
Dolcetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and stronger and warmer.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more sparkling.
Rondinella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and drier.
Dolcetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Ribera del Duero
Ribera del Duero scores closest to Montepulciano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Priorat
Priorat scores closest to Montepulciano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Châteauneuf-du-Pape scores closest to Montepulciano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
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.