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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.

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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 jammy or sweet-tasting.

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.

Chianti Classico

curated

The step up for someone wanting more structure from an Italian red.

Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.

Rioja

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.

Rioja Reserva

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.

Chianti

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.

Dão

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.

Etna Rosso

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.

Tempranillo

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

Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Chianti Classico

curated

The step up for someone wanting more structure from an Italian red.

Expect: Much higher acidity and firmer tannin.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and earthier.

Rioja

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.

Rioja Reserva

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.

Different grape, similar feel

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

Chianti Classico

curated

The step up for someone wanting more structure from an Italian red.

Expect: Much higher acidity and firmer tannin.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and earthier.

Rioja

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.

Rioja Reserva

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.

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.

Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and spicier.

Red Burgundy

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and earthier.

Chianti

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.

Dão

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and earthier.

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.

Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and spicier.

Red Burgundy

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and earthier.

English still Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter.

País

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

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Priorat

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more tannic and structured.

Uruguayan Tannat

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.

Ribera del Duero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more oaky.

Douro red

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and earthier.

Similar but less tannic

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

Friulano

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

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

Greco di Tufo

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

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

Greco

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

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

White Burgundy

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

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Aglianico

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and earthier.

Chianti Classico

curated

The step up for someone wanting more structure from an Italian red.

Expect: Much higher acidity and firmer tannin.

Baga

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more tannic and structured.

Bairrada Baga

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more tannic and structured.

Similar but fresher

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

Aglianico

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

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and earthier.

Areni

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and spicier.

Cahors

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

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more floral.

Carignan

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

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and leaner and more cutting.

Similar but softer

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

Marsanne

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

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less tannic and softer.

Grenache Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less tannic and softer.

Tempranillo

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fresher and more acidic.

Mourvèdre

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

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fresher and more acidic.

The sparkling version

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

Corpinnat

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

Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and fresher and more acidic.

Champagne

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

Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and fresher and more acidic.

English sparkling wine

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

Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and fresher and more acidic.

Cava

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

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.

Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.

Tinto Cão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and sweeter.

Tawny Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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.

Tibouren

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

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter.

País

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

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter.

Poulsard

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

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter.

Cornalin

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Rioja

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and earthier.

Rioja Reserva

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and earthier.

Tempranillo

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

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and earthier.

Rioja Gran Reserva

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 spicier.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Barbaresco

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

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fresher and more acidic.

Nebbiolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fresher and more acidic.

Barolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more aromatic.

Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and spicier.

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.

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 less tannic and softer, and more herbal and green.

Muscadet

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and lighter.

Chianti Classico

curated

The step up for someone wanting more structure from an Italian red.

Expect: Much higher acidity and firmer tannin.

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 earthier, and spicier.

Barbaresco

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more tannic and structured.

Nebbiolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more tannic and structured.

Barolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher and more acidic.

Similar but more savoury

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

Chianti

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.

Chianti Classico

curated

The step up for someone wanting more structure from an Italian red.

Expect: Much higher acidity and firmer tannin.

Dão

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter.

Etna Rosso

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and earthier.

Similar but fruitier

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

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.

Chianti Classico

curated

The step up for someone wanting more structure from an Italian red.

Expect: Much higher acidity and firmer tannin.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and earthier.

Chianti

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.

Rioja

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.

Change the place

Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.

Same grape, cooler climate

Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.

Montepulciano

Both are made from montepulciano, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.

Same grape, warmer climate

Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.

Montepulciano

Both are made from montepulciano, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.

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.

Chianti Classico

curated

The step up for someone wanting more structure from an Italian red.

Expect: Much higher acidity and firmer tannin.

Rioja

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.

Rioja Reserva

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.

Chianti

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.

Something more adventurous

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

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and earthier.

Dão

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and earthier.

Etna Rosso

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and earthier.

Mourvèdre

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

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, 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.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and earthier.

Dão

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and earthier.

Etna Rosso

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and earthier.

Mourvèdre

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

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and spicier.

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.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more oaky.

Priorat

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more tannic and structured.

Amarone della Valpolicella

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.

Super Tuscan

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.

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.