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 heavy, too austere 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.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- About as heavy as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less austere.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
Primitivo di Manduria
curatedBoth are generous, affordable southern Italian reds.
- More heavy, not less.
- Substantially less austere.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- About as heavy as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less austere.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
Rondinella
Both come from the same country.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less austere.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- More heavy, not less.
- Substantially less austere.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- More heavy, not less.
- Substantially less austere.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- About as heavy as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less austere.
- About as tart or sour-fruited as the wine you started from.
Tinto Cão
Tinto Cão scores closest to Montepulciano d’Abruzzo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
- A little less heavy.
- Substantially less austere.
- More tart or sour-fruited, not less.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Primitivo di Manduria
curatedBoth 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 lighter, and fresher.
Rondinella
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Rondinella
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, 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 drier.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Canaiolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Colorino
Both come from the same country.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Grolleau
Grolleau scores closest to Montepulciano d’Abruzzo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Portugieser
Portugieser scores closest to Montepulciano d’Abruzzo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
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 fruitier, and fresher.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
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 fresher.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Tinta Negra
Tinta Negra scores closest to Montepulciano d’Abruzzo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and stronger and warmer.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, 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 lighter, and fresher.
Primitivo di Manduria
curatedBoth are generous, affordable southern Italian reds.
Expect: Riper and higher in alcohol.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Tinto Cão
Tinto Cão scores closest to Montepulciano d’Abruzzo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Rondinella
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and stronger and warmer.
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.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Sparkling Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Lambrusco
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fresher.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Rondinella
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Tinto Cão
Tinto Cão scores closest to Montepulciano d’Abruzzo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Corvinone
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Primitivo di Manduria
curatedBoth are generous, affordable southern Italian reds.
Expect: Riper and higher in alcohol.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Malbec
Malbec scores closest to Montepulciano d’Abruzzo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Barbaresco
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 lighter.
Nebbiolo
Both come from the same country.
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.
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 lighter, and fresher.
Rondinella
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fresher.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Malbec
Malbec scores closest to Montepulciano d’Abruzzo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Canaiolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fresher.
Rioja Gran Reserva
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Rioja
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Rioja Reserva
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Primitivo di Manduria
curatedBoth are generous, affordable southern Italian reds.
Expect: Riper and higher in alcohol.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
California Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Montepulciano d’Abruzzo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Primitivo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Change the place
Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
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.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
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.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Rioja
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Rioja Reserva
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Rondinella
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, 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.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Rondinella
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, 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.
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.
Priorat
Priorat scores closest to Montepulciano d’Abruzzo across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
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.
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.