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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.
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 moving away from too peppery, too heavy and too drying or too tannic.
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.
Bierzo Mencía
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Mencía
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Chilean Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Oregon Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
St Laurent
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
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 spicy, and more herbal and green.
Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fresher.
Mencía
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
Chilean Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fresher.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
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 spicy, and more herbal and green.
Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fresher.
Mencía
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
Chilean Pinot Noir
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.
Barbera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, 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 less spicy, and more herbal and green.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter in alcohol.
Castelão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
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.
Cru Beaujolais
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.
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.
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 spicy, and more herbal and green.
Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fresher.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Argentine Malbec
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and spicier.
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 more tannic and structured.
Alicante Bouschet
Alicante Bouschet scores closest to Jumilla Monastrell across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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.
California 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 fuller and richer, and less spicy.
Barbera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less spicy.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less spicy.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Naoussa Xinomavro
Naoussa Xinomavro scores closest to Jumilla Monastrell across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less spicy.
Xinomavro
Xinomavro scores closest to Jumilla Monastrell across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less spicy.
Bairrada Baga
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.
Barbaresco
Both sit in the same style family.
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.
Barbera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, 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 less spicy, and more herbal and green.
Castelão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less oaky.
Chianti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Marsanne
Marsanne scores closest to Jumilla Monastrell across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fuller and richer.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
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 less spicy.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less spicy.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Lambrusco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter in alcohol.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter in alcohol.
Sparkling Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and spicier.
English sparkling rosé
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter in alcohol.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter in alcohol.
Dornfelder
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter in alcohol.
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.
Canaiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter in alcohol.
Castelão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Ciliegiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.
Dornfelder
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
California 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 fuller and richer, and less spicy.
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 spicier, and fuller and richer.
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 tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.
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 tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter in alcohol.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and lighter in alcohol.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Franken Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
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 spicy, and lighter in alcohol.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, 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 less spicy, and more herbal and green.
Mencía
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Chianti Classico Riserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, 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 spicier, and fuller and richer.
Naoussa Xinomavro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less spicy.
Xinomavro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less spicy.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
California 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 fuller and richer, and less spicy.
Barbera d’Alba
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less tannic and softer.
California Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and spicier.
New Zealand Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and spicier.
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.
Australian Grenache
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and spicier.
Grenache
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
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.
Southern Rhône blend
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fuller and richer.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
Rioja Crianza
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 spicier.
Australian Grenache
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and spicier.
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 fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.
Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
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 tannic and structured.
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 both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.
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 more tannic and structured.
Bolgheri
Both are made from syrah, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.
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 less spicy, and fresher and more acidic.
Chianti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fresher and more acidic.
Cru Beaujolais
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter in alcohol.
Barbera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
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 spicy, and more herbal and green.
Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fresher.
Mencía
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
Chilean Pinot Noir
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.
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 spicy, and more herbal and green.
Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fresher.
Mencía
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
Chilean Pinot Noir
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.
Ribera del Duero
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.
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.
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 spicier, and fuller and richer.
Oregon Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fresher and more acidic.
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.