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 green or grassy 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.
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.
- Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
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.
- Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
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 green or grassy.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Nero d’Avola
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 green or grassy.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Alentejo red
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 green or grassy.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Nemea Agiorgitiko
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 green or grassy.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Valpolicella Ripasso
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 green or grassy.
- 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.
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 riper and less green, and spicier.
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 riper and less green, and more oaky.
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 riper and less green, and softer and rounder.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more oaky.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
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 riper and less green, and softer and rounder.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more oaky.
Nero d’Avola
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Alentejo red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
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.
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 riper and less green, 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.
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.
Rondinella
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and sweeter.
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 riper and less green, and fresher.
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.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, 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 more tannic and structured, and riper and less green.
Primitivo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
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 riper and less green, and spicier.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
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 riper and less green, and more oaky.
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 riper and less green, and softer and rounder.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Priorat
Both are made from grenache, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and riper and less green.
Toro
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and riper and less green.
Tannat
Tannat scores closest to Montsant across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and riper and less green.
Naoussa Xinomavro
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and riper and less green.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
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 riper and less green, and earthier.
Areni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Oregon Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.
Red Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
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 riper and less green, and leaner and more cutting.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more oaky.
Alentejo red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
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 riper and less green, and sweeter.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and stiller.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and stiller.
English sparkling rosé
English sparkling rosé scores closest to Montsant across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and riper and less green.
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 riper and less green, and sweeter.
Vin Doux Naturel
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and sweeter.
Valpolicella Ripasso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Zinfandel
Both are made from carignan, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
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.
Castelão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Corvinone
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and sweeter.
Ciliegiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Nerello Cappuccio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
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 riper and less green, and spicier.
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 riper and less green, and less oaky.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and sweeter.
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 riper and less green, and earthier.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and riper and less green.
Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, 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.
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 riper and less green, and more aromatic.
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 riper and less green, and more aromatic.
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 riper and less green, and more aromatic.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and softer and rounder.
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 riper and less green, and earthier.
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 riper and less green, and fresher.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and riper and less green.
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 riper and less green, and earthier.
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 riper and less green, and more oaky.
Areni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.
Red Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Zinfandel
Both are made from carignan, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Primitivo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
California 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 riper and less green, and spicier.
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, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
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 more herbal and green, and more floral.
Grenache
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and spicier.
California Rhône blend
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and spicier.
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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and softer and rounder.
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 riper and less green, and more oaky.
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 more herbal and green, and softer and rounder.
Rioja
Both are made from grenache, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and riper and less green.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, 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 more tannic and structured, and riper and less green.
Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and riper and less green.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and riper and less green.
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 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 riper and less green, and spicier.
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 riper and less green, and more oaky.
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 riper and less green, and softer and rounder.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more oaky.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Nero d’Avola
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Alentejo red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Nemea Agiorgitiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Valpolicella Ripasso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
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.
Nero d’Avola
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Alentejo red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Nemea Agiorgitiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Valpolicella Ripasso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Ribera del Duero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and riper and less green.
Argentine Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and riper and less green.
Barossa Shiraz
Both are made from grenache.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and riper and less green.
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.