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.

← Back to Mourvèdre

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.

I like…

The firm, grippy structure The earthy, mineral side The savoury, meaty side

But it’s a bit…

too drying or too tannic too oaky or woody too peppery too earthy or musty too savoury or funky too austere

Clear all

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 earthy, savoury-mineral character and the firm tannic structure, while moving away from too drying or too tannic.

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.

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

Keeps the earthy, savoury-mineral character.
Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Pinot Noir

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Keeps the earthy, savoury-mineral character.
Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Red Burgundy

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Keeps the earthy, savoury-mineral character.
Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Oregon Pinot Noir

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

Keeps the earthy, savoury-mineral character.
Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

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

Keeps the earthy, savoury-mineral character.
Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Southern Rhône blend

Both are made from mourvèdre, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Has some of the earthy, savoury-mineral character, though less of it.
Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.

Jumilla Monastrell

Both are made from mourvèdre, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Keeps the earthy, savoury-mineral character.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
About as drying or too tannic as the wine you started from.

Syrah

curated

Its constant blending partner, with shared dark fruit and savoury character.

Has some of the earthy, savoury-mineral character, though less of it.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
About as drying or too tannic 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.

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fresher and more acidic.

Pinot Noir

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Red Burgundy

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.

Oregon Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.

Different grape, similar feel

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

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fresher and more acidic.

Pinot Noir

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Red Burgundy

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.

Oregon Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.

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

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Red Burgundy

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less spicy.

Cru Beaujolais

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more floral.

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

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Red Burgundy

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less spicy.

Cru Beaujolais

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fresher.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Both are made from mourvèdre, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more herbal and green.

Douro red

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more floral.

Ribera del Duero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Argentine Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more floral.

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 more oaky, and fresher and more acidic.

Southern Rhône blend

Both are made from mourvèdre, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more herbal and green.

California Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fruitier.

New Zealand Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fruitier.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Aglianico

curated

A similarly tannic, savoury, ageworthy southern red.

Expect: Much higher acidity and a more volcanic, ashy character.

Mavrud

Mavrud scores closest to Mourvèdre across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fresher and more acidic.

Priorat

Priorat scores closest to Mourvèdre across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.

Brunello di Montalcino

Brunello di Montalcino scores closest to Mourvèdre across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fresher and more acidic.

Similar but fresher

Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.

Oregon Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less spicy.

Pinot Noir

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Red Burgundy

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.

Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less spicy.

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more herbal and green.

Southern Rhône blend

Both are made from mourvèdre, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more herbal and green.

Jumilla Monastrell

Both are made from mourvèdre, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fresher and more acidic.

Syrah

curated

Its constant blending partner, with shared dark fruit and savoury character.

Expect: More fruit-forward and less gamey, with a peppery rather than meaty savouriness.

The sparkling version

Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.

Sparkling Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and sweeter.

Lambrusco

Lambrusco scores closest to Mourvèdre across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and stiller.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and stiller.

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Pinotage

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Saperavi

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Vin Doux Naturel

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and sweeter.

Tinta Barroca

Tinta Barroca scores closest to Mourvèdre across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and sweeter.

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.

Broad-leaved Melnik

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and leaner and more cutting.

Frühburgunder

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.

Piedirosso

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.

Southern Rhône blend

Both are made from mourvèdre, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more oaky.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and leaner and more cutting.

Tempranillo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Rioja

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Rioja Reserva

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Pinot Noir

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

Cabernet Franc

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more herbal and green.

Syrah

curated

Its 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

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less spicy.

Similar but more restrained

For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

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

Southern Rhône blend

Both are made from mourvèdre, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more aromatic.

Jumilla Monastrell

Both are made from mourvèdre, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more aromatic.

California Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more aromatic.

Similar but more floral

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

Pinot Noir

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

Red Burgundy

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.

Cabernet Franc

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more herbal and green.

Oregon Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.

Similar but more savoury

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

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fresher and more acidic.

Chianti Classico Riserva

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fresher and more acidic.

Taurasi

Taurasi scores closest to Mourvèdre across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fresher and more acidic.

Barolo

Barolo scores closest to Mourvèdre across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fresher and more acidic.

Similar but fruitier

More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.

Southern Rhône blend

Both are made from mourvèdre, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more herbal and green.

California Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fruitier.

Morgon

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less spicy.

Chilean Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less spicy.

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fruitier.

Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends

Both are made from mourvèdre, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more herbal and green.

California Rhône blend

Both are made from mourvèdre, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fruitier.

Australian Grenache

Both are made from mourvèdre.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more floral.

Same grape, cooler climate

Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.

Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends

Both are made from mourvèdre, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more herbal and green.

Australian Grenache

Both are made from mourvèdre.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more floral.

Southern Rhône blend

Both are made from mourvèdre, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more herbal and green.

Jumilla Monastrell

Both are made from mourvèdre, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and softer and rounder.

Same grape, warmer climate

Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Both are made from mourvèdre, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more herbal and green.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

Both are made from mourvèdre.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more tannic and structured.

Barossa Shiraz

Both are made from mourvèdre.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more tannic and structured.

Southern Rhône blend

Both are made from mourvèdre, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, 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.

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fresher and more acidic.

Pinot Noir

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

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

Red Burgundy

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.

Oregon Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.

Something more adventurous

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

Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.

Jumilla Monastrell

Both are made from mourvèdre, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fruitier.

Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends

Both are made from mourvèdre, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more herbal and green.

Morgon

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less spicy.

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.

Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.

Jumilla Monastrell

Both are made from mourvèdre, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fruitier.

Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends

Both are made from mourvèdre, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more herbal and green.

Morgon

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and less spicy.

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more herbal and green.

Ribera del Duero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Priorat

Priorat scores closest to Mourvèdre across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.

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 more tannic and structured.

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.