If you like this, try…
Wines like Montsant
The DO encircling Priorat, producing similar old-vine Garnacha and Cariñena at far lower prices. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Montsant?
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 firm, grippy structure
- High tannin — the drying grip on your gums, like over-brewed tea. It gives a red something to hold on to with rich food, and it is what lets a wine age.
- 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.
- The herbal, green side
- Grass, blackcurrant leaf, green pepper, mint. It divides people more sharply than almost any other character.
- 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 keeping the firm tannic structure, while 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.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Rioja
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Rioja Reserva
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- 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.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less oaky.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less oaky.
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.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less oaky.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less oaky.
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.
Blaufränkisch
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir) scores closest to Montsant across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir scores closest to Montsant across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Dolcetto
Both sit in the same style family.
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 Montsant across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir scores closest to Montsant across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Red Burgundy
Red Burgundy scores closest to Montsant across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Montsant across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Barossa Shiraz
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less oaky.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and drier.
Zinfandel
Both are made from carignan, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and drier.
Rioja Gran Reserva
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and drier.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less oaky.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less oaky.
Montefalco Sagrantino
Montefalco Sagrantino scores closest to Montsant across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and drier.
Priorat
Both are made from grenache, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and drier.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Chianti Classico Riserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Chianti Classico
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Blaufränkisch
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Barossa Shiraz
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
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 tannic and softer, and less oaky.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Montsant across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less tannic and softer.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Montsant across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and less oaky.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less oaky.
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 more tannic and structured, and less oaky.
Sparkling Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less oaky.
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
Tinto Cão scores closest to Montsant across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Tinta Barroca
Tinta Barroca scores closest to Montsant across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less tannic and softer.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Montsant across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less tannic and softer.
Corvinone
Corvinone scores closest to Montsant across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Barossa Shiraz
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Rioja
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Montsant across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo scores closest to Montsant across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more tannic and structured.
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.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less oaky.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Rioja
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less oaky.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Syrah
Both are made from syrah.
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.
Rioja
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Rioja Reserva
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less oaky.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
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 drier, and less tannic and softer.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less oaky.
Zinfandel
Both are made from carignan, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Change the place
Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.
Same grape, somewhere else
Holds the variety constant and changes the place, which is often a bigger change than swapping the grape.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Bolgheri
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Barossa Shiraz
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Zinfandel
Both are made from carignan, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
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.
Rioja
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
Rioja Reserva
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
Rioja Gran Reserva
Both are made from grenache, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Hawke’s Bay Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Barossa Shiraz
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Bolgheri
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
Rioja
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Rioja Reserva
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less oaky.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less oaky.
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.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less oaky.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less oaky.
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.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Ribera del Duero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Barossa Shiraz
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.