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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.
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 full body and weight and the savoury, non-fruity character, while moving away from too heavy.
- You said you like the full body and weight and that it is too heavy. Both are about body, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
- You said you like the full body and weight and that it is too heavy. Both are about alcohol, 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
curatedThe same varieties in a comparable Mediterranean climate.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- A little less heavy.
Australian Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less heavy.
Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less heavy.
Oregon Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less heavy.
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less heavy.
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.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- A little less heavy.
Langhe Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less heavy.
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.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- 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
curatedThe same varieties in a comparable Mediterranean climate.
Expect: A touch lighter and more herbal.
Australian Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fresher and more acidic.
Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fresher.
Oregon Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Australian Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fresher and more acidic.
Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fresher.
Oregon Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, 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.
Areni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher and more acidic.
Australian Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fresher and more acidic.
Chianti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher and more acidic.
Dão
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.
Australian Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fresher and more acidic.
Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, 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 spicy.
Oregon Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Priorat
Both are made from grenache, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
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 stronger and warmer.
Dalmatian Plavac Mali
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Barossa Shiraz
curatedA comparably dense, warm-climate red for the same drinker.
Expect: Sweeter fruit, more oak and a much higher price.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Carmenère
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more herbal and green.
Chilean Carmenère
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more herbal and green.
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 fuller and richer, and more savoury.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and sweeter.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Naoussa Xinomavro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Xinomavro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Mavrud
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fresher and more acidic.
Brunello di Montalcino
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 more savoury.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Areni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher and more acidic.
Australian Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less oaky.
Chianti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher and more acidic.
Dão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more floral.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Marsanne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more fruit-driven.
Languedoc red
curatedThe 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.
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 more restrained in fruit.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Sparkling Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fuller and richer.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter in alcohol.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter in alcohol.
Franciacorta
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more sparkling.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and sweeter.
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.
Tawny Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
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 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.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and sweeter.
Prokupac
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Broad-leaved Melnik
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and leaner and more cutting.
Castelão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
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 more restrained in fruit.
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 restrained in fruit.
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 restrained in fruit.
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 fuller and richer, and more savoury.
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.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more restrained in fruit.
Barbaresco
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 restrained in fruit.
Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, 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.
Palomino Fino
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 less tannic and softer.
Franken Silvaner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and lighter in alcohol.
Australian Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fresher.
Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less spicy.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and more restrained in fruit.
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.
Oregon Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
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 savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Xinomavro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
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 more savoury, and fuller and richer.
Taurasi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fuller and richer.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
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 fruitier, and fuller and richer.
California Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
New Zealand Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Barossa Shiraz
curatedA comparably dense, warm-climate red for the same drinker.
Expect: Sweeter fruit, more oak and a much higher price.
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.
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 fresher and more acidic.
Languedoc red
curatedThe same varieties in a comparable Mediterranean climate.
Expect: A touch lighter and more herbal.
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 more floral.
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.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
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 spicier.
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 more floral.
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 restrained in fruit.
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 restrained in fruit.
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 fruitier.
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 both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
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 fruitier.
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.
Oregon Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
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.
Chianti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and fresher and more acidic.
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 restrained in fruit.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Australian Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fresher and more acidic.
Hemel-en-Aarde 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 fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
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 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.
Australian Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fresher and more acidic.
Hemel-en-Aarde 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 fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
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 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 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 stronger and warmer.
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 stronger and warmer.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
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.