If you like this, try…
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.
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.
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 and too plain or too simple.
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.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Primitivo di Manduria
curatedBoth are generous, affordable southern Italian reds.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Corvina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more tannic and structured.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more tannic and structured.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
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.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir) scores closest to Montepulciano d’Abruzzo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Muscat Bailey A
Muscat Bailey A scores closest to Montepulciano d’Abruzzo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir scores closest to Montepulciano d’Abruzzo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Red Burgundy
Red Burgundy scores closest to Montepulciano d’Abruzzo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir) scores closest to Montepulciano d’Abruzzo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Muscat Bailey A
Muscat Bailey A scores closest to Montepulciano d’Abruzzo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir scores closest to Montepulciano d’Abruzzo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Red Burgundy
Red Burgundy scores closest to Montepulciano d’Abruzzo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Primitivo di Manduria
curatedBoth 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 less oaky, and more floral.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Barossa Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Barbera d’Alba
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Tawny Port
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and spicier.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less tannic and softer.
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 less oaky, and more tannic and structured.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more tannic and structured.
Corvina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
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.
Primitivo di Manduria
curatedBoth are generous, affordable southern Italian reds.
Expect: Riper and higher in alcohol.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Barossa Shiraz
Barossa Shiraz scores closest to Montepulciano d’Abruzzo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Montepulciano d’Abruzzo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Sparkling Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and spicier.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and stiller.
Lambrusco
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Tawny Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, 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 less oaky, and more tannic and structured.
Sparkling Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more sparkling.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
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 Barroca
Tinta Barroca scores closest to Montepulciano d’Abruzzo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more sparkling.
Tinta Negra
Tinta Negra scores closest to Montepulciano d’Abruzzo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Tinto Cão
Tinto Cão scores closest to Montepulciano d’Abruzzo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
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.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Barossa Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
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 less oaky.
Malbec
Malbec scores closest to Montepulciano d’Abruzzo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Nebbiolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Barolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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 less oaky, and more aromatic.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
Malbec
Malbec scores closest to Montepulciano d’Abruzzo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir scores closest to Montepulciano d’Abruzzo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
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 less oaky, and more tannic and structured.
Rioja Gran Reserva
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
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.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and broader and softer.
Primitivo di Manduria
curatedBoth 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 less oaky, and more floral.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
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 Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more tannic and structured.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
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.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more tannic and structured.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more floral.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Ribera del Duero
Ribera del Duero scores closest to Montepulciano d’Abruzzo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Super Tuscan
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Shiraz
Shiraz scores closest to Montepulciano d’Abruzzo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
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.