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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 heavy and too austere.

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.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less austere.

Tinto Cão

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

A little less heavy.
Substantially less austere.

Rondinella

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

Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less austere.

Dornfelder

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

Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less austere.

Muscat Bailey A

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

Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less austere.

Rondo

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

Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less austere.

Tinta Negra

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

A little less heavy.
Substantially less austere.

Portugieser

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less austere.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Tinto Cão

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less oaky.

Rondinella

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Dornfelder

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Tinto Cão

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less oaky.

Rondinella

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Dornfelder

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Rondinella

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Dornfelder

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

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

Muscat Bailey A

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

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

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.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Dornfelder

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

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

Muscat Bailey A

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

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

Rondo

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more herbal and green.

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

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Amarone della Valpolicella

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.

Primitivo

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.

Similar but less tannic

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

Sémillon

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

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

Chenin Blanc

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

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

Hárslevelű

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

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

Barbera d’Alba

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Tinto Cão

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less oaky.

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Dolcetto

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Colorino

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Similar but fresher

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Tinto Cão

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less oaky.

Dornfelder

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

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

Muscat Bailey A

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

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

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.

Tinta Barroca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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 sparkling.

Portugieser

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Tinto Cão

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

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

The sparkling version

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and fresher.

Sparkling Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Lambrusco

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stiller.

Vouvray

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

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

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, and both come from the same country.

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

Tinto Cão

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less oaky.

Tinta Negra

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less oaky.

Tinta Barroca

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

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.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Tinto Cão

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

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

Rondinella

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

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

Dornfelder

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

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

California Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.

Pinotage

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.

Touriga Nacional

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Muscat Bailey A

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

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

Gamay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.

Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more herbal and green.

Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.

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 tannic and softer, and fresher and more acidic.

Trebbiano Toscano

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

Silvaner

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

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Similar but more floral

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

Dornfelder

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more neutral and subtle.

Gamay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.

Touriga Franca

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more herbal and green.

Similar but more savoury

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

Tinta Negra

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fruitier.

Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.

Red Burgundy

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Chianti

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.

Similar but fruitier

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

California Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.

Zinfandel

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.

Primitivo di Manduria

curated

Both are generous, affordable southern Italian reds.

Expect: Riper and higher in alcohol.

Touriga Nacional

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.

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 both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Montepulciano

Both are made from montepulciano, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.

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.

Cru Beaujolais

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

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

Gamay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.

Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more herbal and green.

Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.

Something more adventurous

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Tinto Cão

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less oaky.

Rondinella

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Dornfelder

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

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

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.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

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

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

Tinto Cão

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less oaky.

Rondinella

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.

Dornfelder

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

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

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 fuller and richer, and drier.

Ribera del Duero

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.

Chianti Classico

curated

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

Expect: Much higher acidity and firmer tannin.

Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.

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.