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Wines like Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

Soft, deeply coloured, plummy Italian red at consistently low prices — and unrelated to the Tuscan town of Montepulciano. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

← Back to Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

Refine

What do you like about Montepulciano d’Abruzzo?

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…

But it’s a bit…

too jammy or sweet-tasting too tart or sour-fruited too soft or too easy too heavy too plain or too simple too austere

Clear all

What these words mean

The rich dark fruit: Blackberry, plum, black cherry — fruit that tastes ripe and generous rather than tart. It comes from warm-climate ripening and it is what most people mean when they call a red "fruity".
The bright red fruit: Raspberry, redcurrant, sour cherry — lighter and sharper than dark fruit, usually from a cooler place or an earlier picking.
How smooth and soft it is: Low tannin. Tannin is the drying, gum-gripping sensation in red wine — like strong tea. A smooth red has little of it.
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.
That it is not oaky: No barrel character — just the fruit and the acidity. Chablis and Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc are the reference points.
That it is properly dry: No perceptible sugar at all. Almost all red wine is dry and a good deal of white wine is not, which is why this is a more useful thing to say about a white than about a red.

Looking for something moving away from too austere, too soft or too easy and too tart or sour-fruited.

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.

Sagrantino

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

Substantially less austere.
Substantially less soft or too easy.
About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

Substantially less austere.
Substantially less soft or too easy.
About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Substantially less austere.
Substantially less soft or too easy.
About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.

Primitivo di Manduria

curated

Both are generous, affordable southern Italian reds.

Substantially less austere.
A little less soft or too easy.
A little less tart or sour-fruited.

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Substantially less austere.
A little less soft or too easy.
About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.

Tinto Cão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Substantially less austere.
Substantially less soft or too easy.
More tart or sour-fruited, not less.

Tannat

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

About as austere as the wine you started from.
Substantially less soft or too easy.
About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.

Madiran

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

About as austere as the wine you started from.
Substantially less soft or too easy.
About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.

Primitivo di Manduria

curated

Both are generous, affordable southern Italian reds.

Expect: Riper and higher in alcohol.

Different grape, similar feel

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

Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Rondinella

Both come from the same country.

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

Tinto Cão

Tinto Cão scores closest to Montepulciano d’Abruzzo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

Colorino

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.

Dolcetto

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.

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.

Rondinella

Both come from the same country.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

Both come from the same country.

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

Colorino

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Dolcetto

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Primitivo di Manduria

curated

Both are generous, affordable southern Italian reds.

Expect: Riper and higher in alcohol.

Touriga Nacional

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.

Toro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Amarone della Valpolicella

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.

Similar but less tannic

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

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.

Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.

Touriga Nacional

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.

Primitivo di Manduria

curated

Both are generous, affordable southern Italian reds.

Expect: Riper and higher in alcohol.

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.

Touriga Nacional

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.

Tannat

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.

Similar but fresher

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

Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.

Tinto Cão

Tinto Cão scores closest to Montepulciano d’Abruzzo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.

Similar but softer

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

Primitivo di Manduria

curated

Both are generous, affordable southern Italian reds.

Expect: Riper and higher in alcohol.

Toro

Toro scores closest to Montepulciano d’Abruzzo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.

Dalmatian Plavac Mali

Dalmatian Plavac Mali scores closest to Montepulciano d’Abruzzo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

The sparkling version

Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.

Sparkling Shiraz

Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Montepulciano d’Abruzzo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

Both come from the same country.

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

Lambrusco

Both come from the same country.

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

Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and stiller.

Similar but sweeter

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

Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.

Touriga Nacional

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Tinto Cão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.

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.

Tinto Cão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.

Tinta Barroca

Tinta Barroca scores closest to Montepulciano d’Abruzzo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Corvinone

Both come from the same country.

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

Rondinella

Both come from the same country.

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.

Primitivo di Manduria

curated

Both are generous, affordable southern Italian reds.

Expect: Riper and higher in alcohol.

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Pinotage

Pinotage scores closest to Montepulciano d’Abruzzo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Similar but more aromatic

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

Barbaresco

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.

Nebbiolo

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.

Barolo

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.

Syrah

Syrah scores closest to Montepulciano d’Abruzzo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.

Similar but more restrained

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

Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.

Primitivo di Manduria

curated

Both are generous, affordable southern Italian reds.

Expect: Riper and higher in alcohol.

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.

Similar but more floral

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

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barbaresco

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.

Nebbiolo

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.

Similar but more savoury

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

Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.

Taurasi

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.

Barolo

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.

Similar but fruitier

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

Primitivo di Manduria

curated

Both are generous, affordable southern Italian reds.

Expect: Riper and higher in alcohol.

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.

Primitivo

Both come from the same country.

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

California Cabernet Sauvignon

California Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Montepulciano d’Abruzzo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

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.

Primitivo

Both come from the same country.

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

Barbaresco

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.

Nebbiolo

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.

Barolo

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.

Something more adventurous

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

Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.

Touriga Nacional

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

A step up

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.

Priorat

Priorat scores closest to Montepulciano d’Abruzzo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Ribera del Duero

Ribera del Duero scores closest to Montepulciano d’Abruzzo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Châteauneuf-du-Pape scores closest to Montepulciano d’Abruzzo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.

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.