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.
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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.
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 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
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 plain or too simple.
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.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Bolgheri
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
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 plain or too simple.
Barossa Shiraz
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- 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
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 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.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fuller and richer.
Bolgheri
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fuller and richer.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
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.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and earthier.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and earthier.
Egri Bikavér
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and earthier.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and earthier.
Cru Beaujolais
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Barossa Shiraz
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Bolgheri
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fruitier.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fruitier.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
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 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 spicier, and earthier.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and sweeter.
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 less oaky, and riper and less green.
Barbera d’Alba
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Priorat
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and earthier.
Toro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Madiran
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Barbera d’Alba
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less tannic and softer.
Chianti Classico Riserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and earthier.
Chianti Classico
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and earthier.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Barossa Shiraz
Both are made from grenache, 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 sweeter.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fuller and richer.
Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and sweeter.
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 stiller, and riper and less green.
Rioja Reserva
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and riper and less green.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and spicier.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and softer and rounder.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Tawny Port
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less tannic and softer.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and sweeter.
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.
Nothing in WineHQ's catalogue makes this move meaningfully from here. These are the closest wines otherwise, but do not expect them to deliver what you asked for — the honest answer is that this style does not have a good neighbour in that direction.
Rioja
Both are made from grenache, and 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 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 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 spicier, and earthier.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fuller and richer.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Barossa Shiraz
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Bolgheri
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fuller and richer.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and sweeter.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fuller and richer.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Syrah
Both are made from syrah, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and spicier.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and riper and less green.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more aromatic.
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
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 aromatic, and riper and less green.
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 more aromatic, and riper and less green.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and spicier.
Bolgheri
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and spicier.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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 less oaky, and spicier.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and earthier.
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 less oaky, and spicier.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
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 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 spicier, and earthier.
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 riper and less green, and spicier.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Barossa Shiraz
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Bolgheri
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fuller and richer.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and sweeter.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, 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.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fuller and richer.
Bolgheri
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fuller and richer.
Barossa Shiraz
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less 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
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 softer and rounder, and fuller and richer.
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 softer and rounder, and fuller and richer.
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 spicier, and earthier.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Barossa Shiraz
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Bolgheri
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fresher and more acidic.
Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fresher and more acidic.
Change the mood
Safer, stranger, cheaper or more serious.
A safe next step
Well-known wines that are widely available and unlikely to surprise anyone.
Rioja
Both are made from grenache, and 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 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.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fuller and richer.
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 spicier, and earthier.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Bolgheri
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fuller and richer.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
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 less oaky, 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.
Bolgheri
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fuller and richer.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
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 less oaky, and spicier.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Ribera del Duero
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 riper and less green.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from syrah, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and spicier.
Barossa Shiraz
Both are made from grenache, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and riper and less green.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and spicier.
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.