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 savoury, non-fruity character and the firm tannic structure, while moving away from too savoury or funky.

You said you like the savoury, non-fruity character and that it is too savoury or funky. Both are about savoury character, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
You said you like the savoury, non-fruity character and that it is too savoury or funky. Both are about fruit intensity, 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.

Syrah

curated

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

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Pinotage

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

Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Fetească Neagră

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

Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Malbec

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

Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Barossa Shiraz

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

Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.

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.

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Pinotage

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

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

Fetească Neagră

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

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Pinotage

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

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

Fetească Neagră

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

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

Malbec

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

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

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.

Dolcetto

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

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

Mondeuse Noire

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

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fresher and more acidic.

Fer Servadou

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

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less oaky.

Cru Beaujolais

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 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.

Mondeuse Noire

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

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fresher and more acidic.

Dolcetto

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

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

Fer Servadou

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

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less oaky.

Cru Beaujolais

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 fresher.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Barossa Shiraz

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

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

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

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

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 savoury, and fruitier.

Similar but less tannic

For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.

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 less tannic and softer, and more herbal and green.

Argentine Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.

Merlot

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.

California Rhône blend

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, 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.

Petit Verdot

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

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

Toro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fresher

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

Argentine Cabernet Franc

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

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

Blaufränkisch

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

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

Bobal

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

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

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

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.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

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

Barossa Shiraz

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

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

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.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

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 more fruit-driven, and less tannic and softer.

Lambrusco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less tannic and softer.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less tannic and softer.

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and more herbal and green.

Similar but sweeter

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

Pinotage

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

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

Port

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

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.

Touriga Franca

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

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

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Bobal

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

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

Nero di Troia

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

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

Refosco

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

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

Broad-leaved Melnik

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and leaner and more cutting.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Barossa Shiraz

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

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

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Pinotage

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

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

Super Tuscan

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

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

Similar but more aromatic

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

Malbec

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

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

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.

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more restrained

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

Pinotage

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

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

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

Fetească Neagră

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

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

Barossa Shiraz

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

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

Similar but more floral

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

Malbec

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

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

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.

Uco Valley Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less spicy.

Argentine Cabernet Franc

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

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Chianti Classico Riserva

Chianti Classico Riserva scores closest to Mourvèdre across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.

Taurasi

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

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

Barolo

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

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

Naoussa Xinomavro

Naoussa Xinomavro scores closest to Mourvèdre across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Barossa Shiraz

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

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

Blaufränkisch

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

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

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

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.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

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

Barossa Shiraz

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

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

Jumilla Monastrell

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and stronger and warmer.

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 savoury, and more herbal and green.

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 savoury, and more herbal and green.

Australian Grenache

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more fruit-driven.

Jumilla Monastrell

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and softer and rounder.

Languedoc red

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 savoury, and more herbal and green.

Same grape, warmer climate

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

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

Barossa Shiraz

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

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

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 savoury, and fruitier.

Jumilla Monastrell

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, 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.

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Malbec

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

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

Barossa Shiraz

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

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

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

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

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

Something more adventurous

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

Pinotage

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

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

Fetească Neagră

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

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

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

Blaufränkisch

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

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

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.

Pinotage

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

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

Fetească Neagră

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

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

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

Blaufränkisch

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

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

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 savoury, and fruitier.

Ribera del Duero

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fuller and richer.

Amarone della Valpolicella

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fruitier.

Priorat

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, 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.