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 moving away from too heavy, too austere and too green or grassy.
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.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- A little less heavy.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Dornfelder
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- A little less heavy.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Portugieser
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Grolleau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
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.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more sparkling.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and stronger and warmer.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Dornfelder
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
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.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more sparkling.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and stronger and warmer.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Dornfelder
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
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.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more sparkling.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Dornfelder
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Muscat Bailey A
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
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.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more sparkling.
Dornfelder
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Muscat Bailey A
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Grolleau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Touriga Nacional
Touriga Nacional scores closest to Montsant across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and riper and less green.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Amarone della Valpolicella scores closest to Montsant across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Primitivo di Manduria
Primitivo di Manduria scores closest to Montsant across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Priorat
Both are made from grenache, and 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.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and riper and less green.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and riper and less green.
Portugieser
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
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 drier, and riper and less green.
Touriga Nacional
Touriga Nacional scores closest to Montsant across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and riper and less green.
Xinomavro
Xinomavro scores closest to Montsant across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Sagrantino
Sagrantino scores closest to Montsant across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Mondeuse Noire
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Barbera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Blaufränkisch
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and riper and less green.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Zinfandel
Both are made from carignan.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Primitivo di Manduria
Primitivo di Manduria scores closest to Montsant across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
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.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and stiller.
Sparkling Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and riper and less green.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Cava
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 sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more sparkling.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and riper and less green.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and stronger and warmer.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and riper and less green.
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.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more sparkling.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and stronger and warmer.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Dornfelder
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
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 riper and less green.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Rioja
Both are made from grenache, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
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 riper and less green.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Syrah
Both are made from syrah.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
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 riper and less green, and less tannic and softer.
Trebbiano Toscano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.
Seyval Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more sparkling.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Dornfelder
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and riper and less green.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Naoussa Xinomavro
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and riper and less green.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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 fuller and richer, and drier.
Zinfandel
Both are made from carignan.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Touriga Nacional
Touriga Nacional scores closest to Montsant across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and riper and less green.
Primitivo
Primitivo scores closest to Montsant across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
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.
Zinfandel
Both are made from carignan.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Hawke’s Bay Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Carignan
Both are made from carignan.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Bekaa Valley Red
Both are made from syrah.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
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 Crianza
Both are made from grenache, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Rioja
Both are made from grenache, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Rioja Reserva
Both are made from grenache, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Rioja Gran Reserva
Both are made from grenache, and both sit in the same style family.
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.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
Both are made from grenache.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Barossa Shiraz
Both are made from grenache.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from syrah.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Shiraz
Shiraz scores closest to Montsant across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
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 riper and less green.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
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.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more sparkling.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and stronger and warmer.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Dornfelder
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
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.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more sparkling.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and stronger and warmer.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Dornfelder
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Amarone della Valpolicella scores closest to Montsant across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Ribera del Duero
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Priorat
Both are made from grenache, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Argentine Malbec
Argentine Malbec scores closest to Montsant across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
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.