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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.

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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.

I like…

The firm, grippy structure

But it’s a bit…

too jammy or sweet-tasting too drying or too tannic too heavy too plain or too simple too green or grassy 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 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 moving away from too jammy or sweet-tasting, too drying or too tannic, too heavy 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.

Rioja Gran Reserva

Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
About as heavy as the wine you started from.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

Pinot Noir

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

Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

Red Burgundy

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

Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less heavy.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

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

A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less heavy.
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.

Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
About as drying or too tannic as the wine you started from.
About as heavy 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.

Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
About as drying or too tannic as the wine you started from.
About as heavy as the wine you started from.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

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

A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
A little less heavy.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir

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

A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
A little less heavy.
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.

Rioja Gran Reserva

Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.

Pinot Noir

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

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

Red Burgundy

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

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

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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.

Pinot Noir

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

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

Red Burgundy

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

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

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

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

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

Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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.

Pinot Noir

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

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

Red Burgundy

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

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

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

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

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

Cabernet Franc

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

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

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 less oaky, and earthier.

Red Burgundy

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

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

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

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

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

Cabernet Franc

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

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

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Argentine Malbec

Argentine Malbec scores closest to Montsant across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Ribera del Duero

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.

Super Tuscan

Both are made from syrah.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.

Barossa Shiraz

Both are made from grenache.

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

Similar but less tannic

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

Rioja Gran Reserva

Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.

Rioja Crianza

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 fuller and richer, and fruitier.

Chilean Carmenère

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

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

Carmenère

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

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Naoussa Xinomavro

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less oaky.

Xinomavro

Xinomavro scores closest to Montsant across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less oaky.

Baga

Baga scores closest to Montsant across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.

Bairrada Baga

Bairrada Baga scores closest to Montsant across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.

Similar but fresher

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

Red Burgundy

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

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

Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

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

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

Chianti

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

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

Oregon Pinot Noir

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

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

Similar but softer

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

Tempranillo

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.

Chilean Carmenère

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

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

Carmenère

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Alentejo red

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

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

The sparkling version

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

Sparkling Shiraz

Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Montsant across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Lambrusco

Lambrusco scores closest to Montsant across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Montsant across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Cava

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

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Tawny Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Corvina

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Pinotage

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.

Muscat Bailey A

Muscat Bailey A scores closest to Montsant across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

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

Tibouren scores closest to Montsant across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

País

País scores closest to Montsant across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Rondinella

Rondinella scores closest to Montsant across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Canaiolo

Canaiolo scores closest to Montsant across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Rioja Gran Reserva

Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.

Rioja

Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.

Rioja Reserva

Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.

Tempranillo

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Pinot Noir

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

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

Cabernet Franc

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

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

Syrah

Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.

Gamay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.

Rioja Gran Reserva

Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.

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 fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.

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 fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.

Red Burgundy

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

Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.

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 less oaky, and earthier.

Red Burgundy

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

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

Cabernet Franc

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

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

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

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

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Rioja Gran Reserva

Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.

Pinot Noir

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

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

Red Burgundy

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

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

Rioja

Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.

Similar but fruitier

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

California Cabernet Sauvignon

California Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Montsant across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Zinfandel

Both are made from carignan.

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

California Pinot Noir

Both sit in the same style family.

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

Barbera d’Alba

Both sit in the same style family.

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

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.

Hawke’s Bay Syrah

Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.

Bekaa Valley Red

Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.

Syrah

Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.

Washington Syrah

Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.

Same grape, cooler climate

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

Rioja Gran Reserva

Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.

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 fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.

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 fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.

Rioja Crianza

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 fuller and richer, and fruitier.

Same grape, warmer climate

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

Barossa Shiraz

Both are made from grenache.

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

Bolgheri

Both are made from syrah.

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

Shiraz

Shiraz scores closest to Montsant across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Super Tuscan

Both are made from syrah.

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

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 Gran Reserva

Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.

Pinot Noir

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

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

Red Burgundy

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

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

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 fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.

Something more adventurous

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

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

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

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

Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

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

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

Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir

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

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

Egri Bikavér

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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.

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

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

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

Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

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

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

Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir

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

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

Egri Bikavér

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

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

A step up

The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.

Ribera del Duero

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.

Super Tuscan

Both are made from syrah.

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.

Priorat

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.

Amarone della Valpolicella

Amarone della Valpolicella scores closest to Montsant across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

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.