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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.

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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.

I like…

The firm, grippy structure How fresh and crisp it is The earthy, mineral side The savoury, meaty side

But it’s a bit…

too drying or too tannic too sharp or acidic too oaky or woody too peppery too earthy or musty too savoury or funky

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.
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 savoury, non-fruity character, the earthy, savoury-mineral character and the fresh, crisp acidity, while moving away from too peppery.

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.

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 savoury, non-fruity character.
Keeps the earthy, savoury-mineral character.
Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Substantially less peppery.

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 savoury, non-fruity character.
Keeps the earthy, savoury-mineral character.
Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Substantially less peppery.

Taurasi

curated

Southern Italy’s Aglianico occupies similar tannic, savoury, ageworthy territory.

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Keeps the earthy, savoury-mineral character.
Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
About as peppery as the wine you started from.

Barolo

curated

Italy’s other benchmark long-aged red.

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Keeps the earthy, savoury-mineral character.
Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
About as peppery as the wine you started from.

Chianti Classico

curated

The same grape from cooler Tuscan hills, at a fraction of the price.

Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Has some of the earthy, savoury-mineral character, though less of it.
Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Substantially less peppery.

Barbaresco

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Keeps the earthy, savoury-mineral character.
Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Substantially less peppery.

Naoussa Xinomavro

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

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Keeps the earthy, savoury-mineral character.
Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Substantially less peppery.

Xinomavro

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

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Keeps the earthy, savoury-mineral character.
Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
Substantially less peppery.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of 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 less spicy, and less tannic and softer.

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 less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.

Taurasi

curated

Southern Italy’s Aglianico occupies similar tannic, savoury, ageworthy territory.

Expect: More volcanic and ashy, and much cheaper.

Barolo

curated

Italy’s other benchmark long-aged red.

Expect: Paler, more perfumed and even more tannic.

Different grape, similar feel

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

Taurasi

curated

Southern Italy’s Aglianico occupies similar tannic, savoury, ageworthy territory.

Expect: More volcanic and ashy, and much cheaper.

Barbaresco

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Barolo

curated

Italy’s other benchmark long-aged red.

Expect: Paler, more perfumed and even more tannic.

Naoussa Xinomavro

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, 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.

Naoussa Xinomavro

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

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

Xinomavro

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

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

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Oregon Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, 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.

Red Burgundy

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

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

English still Pinot Noir

English still Pinot Noir scores closest to Brunello di Montalcino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Loire Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

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.

Ribera del Duero

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.

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 less spicy.

Oregon Pinot Noir

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

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

Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, 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 less spicy.

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.

Chianti Classico

curated

The same grape from cooler Tuscan hills, at a fraction of the price.

Expect: Lighter and more herbal, with less concentration.

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 less spicy, and less tannic and softer.

Naoussa Xinomavro

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

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

Xinomavro

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

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

Similar but softer

Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.

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.

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.

Uco Valley Malbec

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.

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

Both come from the same country.

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

Sparkling Shiraz

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

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

Cava

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

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

Similar but sweeter

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

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.

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.

Montefalco Sagrantino

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 softer and rounder.

Tinta Negra

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

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.

Etna Rosso

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

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

Nerello Mascalese

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

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

Cahors

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.

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 less spicy.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Ribera del Duero

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.

Rioja

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.

Rioja Reserva

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.

Rioja Gran Reserva

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and softer and rounder.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Barbaresco

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Barolo

curated

Italy’s other benchmark long-aged red.

Expect: Paler, more perfumed and even more tannic.

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 spicier.

Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more restrained

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

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 less spicy, and more aromatic.

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 less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.

Taurasi

curated

Southern Italy’s Aglianico occupies similar tannic, savoury, ageworthy territory.

Expect: More volcanic and ashy, and much cheaper.

Chianti Classico

curated

The same grape from cooler Tuscan hills, at a fraction of the price.

Expect: Lighter and more herbal, with less concentration.

Similar but more floral

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

Barbaresco

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Barolo

curated

Italy’s other benchmark long-aged red.

Expect: Paler, more perfumed and even more tannic.

Naoussa Xinomavro

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

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

Xinomavro

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

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Barolo

curated

Italy’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 less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.

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 less spicy, and less tannic and softer.

Taurasi

curated

Southern Italy’s Aglianico occupies similar tannic, savoury, ageworthy territory.

Expect: More volcanic and ashy, and much cheaper.

Similar but fruitier

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

New Zealand Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barbera d’Alba

Both come from the same country.

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

California Pinot Noir

California Pinot Noir scores closest to Brunello di Montalcino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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 spicier.

Change the place

Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.

Same grape, cooler climate

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

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 less spicy, and fuller and richer.

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 less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.

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 less spicy.

Chianti Classico

curated

The same grape from cooler Tuscan hills, at a fraction of the price.

Expect: Lighter and more herbal, with less concentration.

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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, 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 less spicy, and lighter.

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 less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.

Chianti Classico

curated

The same grape from cooler Tuscan hills, at a fraction of the price.

Expect: Lighter and more herbal, with less concentration.

Change the mood

Safer, stranger, cheaper or more serious.

A safe next step

Well-known wines that are widely available and unlikely to surprise anyone.

Barbaresco

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Barolo

curated

Italy’s other benchmark long-aged red.

Expect: Paler, more perfumed and even more tannic.

Chianti Classico

curated

The same grape from cooler Tuscan hills, at a fraction of the price.

Expect: Lighter and more herbal, with less concentration.

Oregon Pinot Noir

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

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

Something more adventurous

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

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 less spicy, and less tannic and softer.

Taurasi

curated

Southern Italy’s Aglianico occupies similar tannic, savoury, ageworthy territory.

Expect: More volcanic and ashy, and much cheaper.

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 less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.

Naoussa Xinomavro

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

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

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.

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 less spicy, and less tannic and softer.

Taurasi

curated

Southern Italy’s Aglianico occupies similar tannic, savoury, ageworthy territory.

Expect: More volcanic and ashy, and much cheaper.

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 less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.

Naoussa Xinomavro

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

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

A step up

The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.

Barolo

curated

Italy’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 fruit-driven, and less spicy.

Chianti Classico

curated

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 less spicy.

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.

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.