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Wines like Jumilla Monastrell

Dense, savoury, affordable red from hot inland Murcia — among the best value in Spanish wine. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

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What do you like about Jumilla Monastrell?

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…

How full and weighty it is The firm, grippy structure The earthy, mineral side The savoury, meaty side

But it’s a bit…

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

Clear all

What these words mean

How full and weighty it is: Body is how much the wine seems to fill your mouth — the difference between skimmed and whole milk. It comes mostly from alcohol and ripeness.
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.

Looking for something keeping the earthy, savoury-mineral character and the firm tannic structure, while moving away from too earthy or musty and too heavy.

You said you like the earthy, savoury-mineral character and that it is too earthy or musty. Both are about earthy character, 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.

Languedoc red

curated

The same varieties in a comparable Mediterranean climate.

Has some of the earthy, savoury-mineral character, though less of it.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
A little less heavy.

Blaufränkisch

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

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

Dão

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

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

Langhe Nebbiolo

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

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

Rioja

Both are made from grenache, 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.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
A little less heavy.

Rioja Reserva

Both are made from grenache, 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.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
A little less heavy.

Syrah

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

Has some of the earthy, savoury-mineral character, though less of it.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
A little less heavy.

Mavrud

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

Has some of the earthy, savoury-mineral character, though less of it.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.
Substantially less earthy or musty.
A little less heavy.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Languedoc red

curated

The same varieties in a comparable Mediterranean climate.

Expect: A touch lighter and more herbal.

Blaufränkisch

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

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

Dão

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

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

Langhe Nebbiolo

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

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

Blaufränkisch

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

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

Dão

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

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

Langhe Nebbiolo

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

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

Mavrud

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

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

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.

Blaufränkisch

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

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

Dão

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

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

Langhe Nebbiolo

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

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

Bierzo Mencía

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 herbal and green.

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.

Blaufränkisch

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

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

Dão

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

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

Langhe Nebbiolo

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

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 lighter in alcohol, and less tannic and softer.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Both are made from grenache, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and earthier.

Barossa Shiraz

curated

A comparably dense, warm-climate red for the same drinker.

Expect: Sweeter fruit, more oak and a much higher price.

Ribera del Duero

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Priorat

Both are made from grenache, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Similar but less tannic

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

Southern Rhône blend

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

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

California Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

New Zealand Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Bairrada Baga

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Naoussa Xinomavro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Xinomavro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Baga

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fresher

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

Blaufränkisch

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

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

Dão

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

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

Langhe Nebbiolo

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

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

Saperavi

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

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

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.

Languedoc red

curated

The same varieties in a comparable Mediterranean climate.

Expect: A touch lighter and more herbal.

Syrah

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

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

Tempranillo

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

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

Mourvèdre

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and earthier.

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 fuller and richer.

Lambrusco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Blaufränkisch

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

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Pinotage

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

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

Saperavi

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

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

Tinto Cão

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

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

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Frühburgunder

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

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

Piedirosso

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

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

Dão

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

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

Langhe Nebbiolo

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

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Rioja

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.

Rioja Reserva

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.

Tempranillo

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.

Pinotage

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Syrah

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and spicier.

Cabernet Franc

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter in alcohol.

Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Similar but more restrained

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

Blaufränkisch

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

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

Languedoc red

curated

The same varieties in a comparable Mediterranean climate.

Expect: A touch lighter and more herbal.

Rioja

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

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

Rioja Reserva

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

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

Similar but more floral

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

Cabernet Franc

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter in alcohol.

Dão

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

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

Syrah

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less floral.

Langhe Nebbiolo

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.

Naoussa Xinomavro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Xinomavro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Northern Rhône Syrah

Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and earthier.

Chianti Classico Riserva

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and earthier.

Similar but fruitier

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

California Pinot Noir

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

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

Barossa Shiraz

curated

A comparably dense, warm-climate red for the same drinker.

Expect: Sweeter fruit, more oak and a much higher price.

New Zealand Pinot Noir

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

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

California Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

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

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.

Languedoc red

curated

The same varieties in a comparable Mediterranean climate.

Expect: A touch lighter and more herbal.

Syrah

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

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

Bekaa Valley Red

Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and earthier.

Washington Syrah

Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and earthier.

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Rioja

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

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

Rioja Reserva

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

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

Bekaa Valley Red

Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and earthier.

Washington Syrah

Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and earthier.

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Both are made from grenache, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and earthier.

Barossa Shiraz

curated

A comparably dense, warm-climate red for the same drinker.

Expect: Sweeter fruit, more oak and a much higher price.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

Both are made from grenache, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from syrah, and both sit in the same style family.

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

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

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

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

Rioja Reserva

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

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

Syrah

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

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

Tempranillo

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

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

Something more adventurous

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

Blaufränkisch

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

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

Dão

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

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

Langhe Nebbiolo

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

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

Languedoc red

curated

The same varieties in a comparable Mediterranean climate.

Expect: A touch lighter and more herbal.

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.

Blaufränkisch

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

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

Dão

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

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

Langhe Nebbiolo

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

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

Languedoc red

curated

The same varieties in a comparable Mediterranean climate.

Expect: A touch lighter and more herbal.

A step up

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

Ribera del Duero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Both are made from grenache, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and earthier.

Priorat

Both are made from grenache, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

Both sit in the same style family.

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

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.