If you like this, try…
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.
Refine
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.
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, while moving away from too earthy or musty and too savoury or funky.
- 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.
California Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the earthy, savoury-mineral character, though less of it.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Southern Rhône blend
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the earthy, savoury-mineral character, though less of it.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- A little less savoury or funky.
Languedoc red
curatedThe same varieties in a comparable Mediterranean climate.
- Has some of the earthy, savoury-mineral character, though less of it.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
Barossa Shiraz
curatedA comparably dense, warm-climate red for the same drinker.
- Has noticeably less of the earthy, savoury-mineral character.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Pinotage
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.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- A little less savoury or funky.
Uco Valley Malbec
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.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- A little less savoury or funky.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the earthy, savoury-mineral character, though less of it.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- A little less savoury or funky.
Blaufränkisch
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the earthy, savoury-mineral character, though less of it.
- Substantially less earthy or musty.
- A little 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.
California Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less tannic and softer.
Southern Rhône blend
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more herbal and green.
Languedoc red
curatedThe same varieties in a comparable Mediterranean climate.
Expect: A touch lighter and more herbal.
Barossa Shiraz
curatedA comparably dense, warm-climate red for the same drinker.
Expect: Sweeter fruit, more oak and a much higher price.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
California Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less tannic and softer.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and sweeter.
Uco Valley Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more floral.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less spicy.
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 more restrained in fruit, and fresher and more acidic.
Bierzo Mencía
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more herbal and green.
Chilean Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less spicy.
Cru Beaujolais
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, 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.
Uco Valley Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more floral.
Cru Beaujolais
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher.
California Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less tannic and softer.
Loire Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Barossa Shiraz
curatedA 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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more oaky.
Toro
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 less spicy.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
California Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter in alcohol.
Southern Rhône blend
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more herbal and green.
Argentine Malbec
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 more floral.
California Rhône blend
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more herbal and green.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Toro
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 less spicy.
Madiran
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Priorat
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more savoury.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Uco Valley Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more floral.
Blaufränkisch
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher and more acidic.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less spicy.
Bierzo Mencía
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more herbal and green.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Pedro Ximénez
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and sweeter.
Barossa Shiraz
curatedA 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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fresher and more acidic.
Southern Rhône blend
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more herbal and green.
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 more fruit-driven.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Jumilla Monastrell across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Jumilla Monastrell across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.
California Pinot Noir
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 more restrained in fruit, and fresher and more acidic.
Vin Doux Naturel
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and sweeter.
Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and sweeter.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and sweeter.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but less oaky
One of the commonest requests in wine. Strips oak influence while holding grape character and weight.
Southern Rhône blend
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more oaky.
Frühburgunder
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more restrained in fruit.
Piedirosso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more restrained in fruit.
País
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and lighter.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Barossa Shiraz
curatedA comparably dense, warm-climate red for the same drinker.
Expect: Sweeter fruit, more oak and a much higher price.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less oaky.
Napa Valley 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 less oaky.
Bolgheri
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
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.
Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less spicy.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more herbal and green.
Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more restrained in fruit.
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.
California Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fresher and more acidic.
Southern Rhône blend
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more aromatic.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more aromatic.
Barossa Shiraz
curatedA comparably dense, warm-climate red for the same drinker.
Expect: Sweeter fruit, more oak and a much higher price.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Uco Valley Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more floral.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more herbal and green.
Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Bierzo Mencía
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more herbal and green.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Rioja Gran Reserva
Both are made from grenache, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Northern Rhône Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and earthier.
Brunello di Montalcino
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and earthier.
Taurasi
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Barossa Shiraz
curatedA comparably dense, warm-climate red for the same drinker.
Expect: Sweeter fruit, more oak and a much higher price.
California Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less tannic and softer.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fuller and richer.
California Rhône blend
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
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.
Southern Rhône blend
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more herbal and green.
Barossa Shiraz
curatedA 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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fuller and richer.
California Rhône blend
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more herbal and green.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
Rioja Crianza
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more restrained in fruit.
Rioja
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 more restrained in fruit, and more savoury.
Rioja 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 more restrained in fruit, and more savoury.
Montsant
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 cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more restrained in fruit.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Barossa Shiraz
curatedA 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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and fresher and more acidic.
Shiraz
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.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more savoury.
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.
California Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and less tannic and softer.
Southern Rhône blend
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more herbal and green.
Barossa Shiraz
curatedA comparably dense, warm-climate red for the same drinker.
Expect: Sweeter fruit, more oak and a much higher price.
Cru Beaujolais
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more floral.
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, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and sweeter.
Uco Valley Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more floral.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less spicy.
Blaufränkisch
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher and more acidic.
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, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and sweeter.
Uco Valley Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more floral.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less spicy.
Blaufränkisch
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher and more acidic.
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 more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and earthier.
Priorat
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and earthier.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more savoury.
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.