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 heavy and too drying or too tannic.
- You said you like the firm tannic structure and that it is too drying or too tannic. Both are about tannin, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
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.
Cru Beaujolais
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Rondo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Trousseau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Loire Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Cru Beaujolais
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fresher.
Rondo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more floral.
Trousseau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Cru Beaujolais
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fresher.
Rondo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more floral.
Trousseau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
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.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more floral.
Cru Beaujolais
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fresher.
Rondo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.
Trousseau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
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.
Cru Beaujolais
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more floral.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more floral.
Rondo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.
Trousseau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
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 stronger and warmer.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
Both are made from grenache.
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 more tannic and structured.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Both are made from grenache.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Rioja Crianza
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 stronger and warmer.
Southern Rhône blend
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 stronger and warmer.
Australian Grenache
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 stronger and warmer.
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 stronger and warmer.
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 stronger and warmer.
Xinomavro
Xinomavro scores closest to Montsant across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and stronger and warmer.
Mavrud
Mavrud scores closest to Montsant across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.
Brunello di Montalcino
Brunello di Montalcino 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.
Loire Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more floral.
Red Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and riper and less green.
Chianti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, 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 stronger and warmer, and earthier.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Southern Rhône blend
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 stronger and warmer.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
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 stronger and warmer.
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 stronger and warmer.
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 stronger and warmer.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Lambrusco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and fresher.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and sweeter.
Sparkling Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
English sparkling rosé
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more sparkling.
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 sweeter, and more sparkling.
Rondo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
Dornfelder
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
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.
Rondo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more fruit-driven.
Trousseau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and sweeter.
Dornfelder
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and sweeter.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
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 fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
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 stronger and warmer.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
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.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and leaner and more cutting.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and riper and less green.
Gamay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fresher.
Muscat Bailey A
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and riper and less green.
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.
Rondo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and sweeter.
Trousseau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and sweeter.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and leaner and more cutting.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and riper and less green.
Gamay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fresher.
Cru Beaujolais
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more floral.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and riper and less green.
Red Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fresher.
Chianti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and fresher.
Areni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, 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 stronger and warmer.
Zinfandel
Both are made from carignan, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
California Pinot Noir
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 stronger and warmer.
California Rhône blend
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
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.
Southern Rhône blend
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 stronger and warmer.
Australian Grenache
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 stronger and warmer.
Grenache
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
California Rhône blend
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Australian Grenache
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 stronger and warmer.
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 fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Rioja
Both are made from grenache, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.
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 more tannic and structured.
Barossa Shiraz
Both are made from grenache.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Both are made from grenache.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.
Bolgheri
Both are made from syrah.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and fresher.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more floral.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and riper and less green.
Red Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fresher.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Rondo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.
Trousseau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.
Loire Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and earthier.
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.
Rondo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.
Trousseau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.
Loire Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and earthier.
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.
Argentine Malbec
Argentine Malbec scores closest to Montsant across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Both are made from grenache.
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 more tannic and structured.
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.