If you like this, try…
Wines like Brunello di Montalcino
Pure Sangiovese from a warm Tuscan hill town, aged for years before release — Italy’s most powerful expression of the grape. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Brunello di Montalcino?
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.
- How fresh and crisp it is
- Acidity is what makes your mouth water and makes a wine feel refreshing rather than heavy. It is the single most useful thing to know about your own taste.
- The 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.
Looking for something keeping the fresh, crisp acidity and the savoury, non-fruity character, while moving away from too oaky or woody.
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.
Rosso di Montalcino
curatedThe same grape, same area and often the same producer, with far shorter ageing.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
Both are made from sangiovese, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- A little less oaky or woody.
Barolo
curatedItaly’s other benchmark long-aged red.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.
Taurasi
curatedSouthern Italy’s Aglianico occupies similar tannic, savoury, ageworthy territory.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.
Chianti Classico Riserva
Both are made from sangiovese, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- A little less oaky or woody.
Chianti Classico
curatedThe same grape from cooler Tuscan hills, at a fraction of the price.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- A little less oaky or woody.
Chianti
Both are made from sangiovese, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
Saperavi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- A little less oaky or woody.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Rosso di Montalcino
curatedThe same grape, same area and often the same producer, with far shorter ageing.
Expect: Fresher and simpler, and ready to drink now.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
Both are made from sangiovese, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
Barolo
curatedItaly’s other benchmark long-aged red.
Expect: Paler, more perfumed and even more tannic.
Taurasi
curatedSouthern Italy’s Aglianico occupies similar tannic, savoury, ageworthy territory.
Expect: More volcanic and ashy, and much cheaper.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Taurasi
curatedSouthern Italy’s Aglianico occupies similar tannic, savoury, ageworthy territory.
Expect: More volcanic and ashy, and much cheaper.
Barolo
curatedItaly’s other benchmark long-aged red.
Expect: Paler, more perfumed and even more tannic.
Saperavi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and spicier.
Langhe Nebbiolo
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.
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.
Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fresher.
Chianti
Both are made from sangiovese, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fresher.
Loire Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fresher.
Langhe Nebbiolo
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.
Similar but lower in alcohol
Holds the character and the weight where it can, and moves specifically on strength. Note that below about 11% the choices narrow sharply, and below 5% they are mostly a different category rather than a lighter version of the same one.
English still Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fresher.
Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fresher.
Loire Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fresher.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fresher.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Priorat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more fruit-driven.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and spicier.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and spicier.
Douro red
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
Both are made from sangiovese, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
Saperavi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and spicier.
Chianti
Both are made from sangiovese, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fresher.
Areni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
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.
Rosso di Montalcino
curatedThe same grape, same area and often the same producer, with far shorter ageing.
Expect: Fresher and simpler, and ready to drink now.
Chianti Classico
curatedThe same grape from cooler Tuscan hills, at a fraction of the price.
Expect: Lighter and more herbal, with less concentration.
Chianti
Both are made from sangiovese, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more fruit-driven.
Langhe Nebbiolo
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 fruit-driven.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Negroamaro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more fruit-driven.
Priorat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more fruit-driven.
Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more fruit-driven.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and softer and rounder.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Lambrusco
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less oaky.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less oaky.
Sparkling Shiraz
Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Brunello di Montalcino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and softer and rounder.
Australian traditional-method sparkling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fresher.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Saperavi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and spicier.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and softer and rounder.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and softer and rounder.
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.
Rosso di Montalcino
curatedThe same grape, same area and often the same producer, with far shorter ageing.
Expect: Fresher and simpler, and ready to drink now.
Chianti
Both are made from sangiovese, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fresher.
Saperavi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and spicier.
Langhe Nebbiolo
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.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Ribera del Duero
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and softer and rounder.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from sangiovese, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Rioja Gran Reserva
Rioja Gran Reserva scores closest to Brunello di Montalcino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and softer and rounder.
Rioja
Rioja scores closest to Brunello di Montalcino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and softer and rounder.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Barolo
curatedItaly’s other benchmark long-aged red.
Expect: Paler, more perfumed and even more tannic.
Barbaresco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and softer and rounder.
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.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
Both are made from sangiovese, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
Rosso di Montalcino
curatedThe same grape, same area and often the same producer, with far shorter ageing.
Expect: Fresher and simpler, and ready to drink now.
Chianti Classico Riserva
Both are made from sangiovese, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
Taurasi
curatedSouthern Italy’s Aglianico occupies similar tannic, savoury, ageworthy territory.
Expect: More volcanic and ashy, and much cheaper.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Barolo
curatedItaly’s other benchmark long-aged red.
Expect: Paler, more perfumed and even more tannic.
Barbaresco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Langhe Nebbiolo
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.
Etna Rosso
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 fruit-driven.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
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.
Barolo
curatedItaly’s other benchmark long-aged red.
Expect: Paler, more perfumed and even more tannic.
Chianti Classico Riserva
Both are made from sangiovese, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
Taurasi
curatedSouthern Italy’s Aglianico occupies similar tannic, savoury, ageworthy territory.
Expect: More volcanic and ashy, and much cheaper.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
Both are made from sangiovese, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Barbera d’Alba
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
New Zealand Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fruitier.
Change the place
Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
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.
Chianti
Both are made from sangiovese, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fresher.
Rosso di Montalcino
curatedThe same grape, same area and often the same producer, with far shorter ageing.
Expect: Fresher and simpler, and ready to drink now.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
Both are made from sangiovese, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
Chianti Classico Riserva
Both are made from sangiovese, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from sangiovese, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
Both are made from sangiovese, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
Rosso di Montalcino
curatedThe same grape, same area and often the same producer, with far shorter ageing.
Expect: Fresher and simpler, and ready to drink now.
Chianti Classico Riserva
Both are made from sangiovese, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
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.
Barolo
curatedItaly’s other benchmark long-aged red.
Expect: Paler, more perfumed and even more tannic.
Chianti
Both are made from sangiovese, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fresher.
Chianti Classico
curatedThe same grape from cooler Tuscan hills, at a fraction of the price.
Expect: Lighter and more herbal, with less concentration.
Barbaresco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Taurasi
curatedSouthern Italy’s Aglianico occupies similar tannic, savoury, ageworthy territory.
Expect: More volcanic and ashy, and much cheaper.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
Both are made from sangiovese, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
Rosso di Montalcino
curatedThe same grape, same area and often the same producer, with far shorter ageing.
Expect: Fresher and simpler, and ready to drink now.
Chianti Classico Riserva
Both are made from sangiovese, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, 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.
Rosso di Montalcino
curatedThe same grape, same area and often the same producer, with far shorter ageing.
Expect: Fresher and simpler, and ready to drink now.
Taurasi
curatedSouthern Italy’s Aglianico occupies similar tannic, savoury, ageworthy territory.
Expect: More volcanic and ashy, and much cheaper.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
Both are made from sangiovese, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
Chianti Classico Riserva
Both are made from sangiovese, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less spicy.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
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.
Barolo
curatedItaly’s other benchmark long-aged red.
Expect: Paler, more perfumed and even more tannic.
Northern Rhône Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and softer and rounder.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more oaky.
Chianti Classico
curatedBoth are made from sangiovese, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more oaky.
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.