If you like this, try…
Wines like Mourvèdre
A late-ripening, sun-demanding variety giving dark, gamey, firmly structured wine — the M in a GSM blend. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Mourvèdre?
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 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.
- The vanilla and oak
- Vanilla, toast, coconut, sweet spice, sometimes smoke. It comes from the barrel rather than the grape, which is why the same grape can taste completely different with and without it.
- 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.
- The earthy, mineral side
- Forest floor, wet stone, mushroom, damp earth. Widely described and much less well explained than wine writing implies — the sensation is real, the causal story usually is not.
- The savoury, meaty side
- Leather, olive, cured meat, dried herbs, tobacco. It is what people mean by calling a wine "serious" rather than "fruity", and it comes with age as well as with place.
- 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 keeping the firm tannic structure, the savoury, non-fruity character and the earthy, savoury-mineral character, while moving away from too drying or too tannic and too austere.
- You said you like the firm tannic structure and that it is too drying or too tannic. Both are about tannin, 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.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Keeps the earthy, savoury-mineral character.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Keeps the earthy, savoury-mineral character.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
Syrah
curatedIts constant blending partner, with shared dark fruit and savoury character.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Has some of the earthy, savoury-mineral character, though less of it.
- About as drying or too tannic as the wine you started from.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
Rioja Gran Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Keeps the earthy, savoury-mineral character.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
Saperavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Has some of the earthy, savoury-mineral character, though less of it.
- About as drying or too tannic as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less austere.
Oregon Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Keeps the earthy, savoury-mineral character.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Keeps the earthy, savoury-mineral character.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
Jumilla Monastrell
Both are made from mourvèdre, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Keeps the earthy, savoury-mineral character.
- About as drying or too tannic as the wine you started from.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more floral.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Syrah
curatedIts constant blending partner, with shared dark fruit and savoury character.
Expect: More fruit-forward and less gamey, with a peppery rather than meaty savouriness.
Rioja Gran Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more floral.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Rioja Gran Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Saperavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
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.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more floral.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
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.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more floral.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Both are made from mourvèdre, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Douro red
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Amarone della Valpolicella scores closest to Mourvèdre across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and drier.
Priorat
Priorat scores closest to Mourvèdre across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Rioja Gran Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Southern Rhône blend
Both are made from mourvèdre, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
New Zealand Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Aglianico
curatedA similarly tannic, savoury, ageworthy southern red.
Expect: Much higher acidity and a more volcanic, ashy character.
Sagrantino
Sagrantino scores closest to Mourvèdre across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Montefalco Sagrantino
Montefalco Sagrantino scores closest to Mourvèdre across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and drier.
Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo scores closest to Mourvèdre across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and drier.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more floral.
Saperavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
Oregon Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
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.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Both are made from mourvèdre, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Syrah
curatedIts constant blending partner, with shared dark fruit and savoury character.
Expect: More fruit-forward and less gamey, with a peppery rather than meaty savouriness.
Jumilla Monastrell
Both are made from mourvèdre, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
Southern Rhône blend
Both are made from mourvèdre, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
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 Mourvèdre across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Mourvèdre across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Mourvèdre across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Cava
Cava scores closest to Mourvèdre across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and drier.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less tannic and softer.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
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.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less tannic and softer.
Broad-leaved Melnik
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Saperavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Rioja Gran Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Syrah
curatedIts constant blending partner, with shared dark fruit and savoury character.
Expect: More fruit-forward and less gamey, with a peppery rather than meaty savouriness.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo scores closest to Mourvèdre across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
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.
Rioja Gran Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Saperavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
Jumilla Monastrell
Both are made from mourvèdre, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends
Both are made from mourvèdre, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Oregon Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Rioja Gran Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Chianti Classico Riserva
Chianti Classico Riserva scores closest to Mourvèdre across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Taurasi
Taurasi scores closest to Mourvèdre across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
Barolo
Barolo scores closest to Mourvèdre across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Southern Rhône blend
Both are made from mourvèdre, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
Syrah
curatedIts constant blending partner, with shared dark fruit and savoury character.
Expect: More fruit-forward and less gamey, with a peppery rather than meaty savouriness.
Morgon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Change the place
Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.
Same grape, somewhere else
Holds the variety constant and changes the place, which is often a bigger change than swapping the grape.
Jumilla Monastrell
Both are made from mourvèdre, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends
Both are made from mourvèdre, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
California Rhône blend
Both are made from mourvèdre.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Australian Grenache
Both are made from mourvèdre.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends
Both are made from mourvèdre, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
Australian Grenache
Both are made from mourvèdre.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Jumilla Monastrell
Both are made from mourvèdre, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
Southern Rhône blend
Both are made from mourvèdre, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Both are made from mourvèdre, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
Both are made from mourvèdre.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Barossa Shiraz
Both are made from mourvèdre.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Jumilla Monastrell
Both are made from mourvèdre, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
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.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more floral.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Rioja Gran Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Oregon Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Saperavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Jumilla Monastrell
Both are made from mourvèdre, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
Cahors
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
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.
Saperavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Jumilla Monastrell
Both are made from mourvèdre, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
Cahors
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Both are made from mourvèdre, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Ribera del Duero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Amarone della Valpolicella scores closest to Mourvèdre across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and drier.
Priorat
Priorat scores closest to Mourvèdre across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
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.