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Wines like Montsant
The DO encircling Priorat, producing similar old-vine Garnacha and Cariñena at far lower prices. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
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 plain or too simple, too heavy, too drying or too tannic and too austere.
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.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- About as heavy as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less austere.
Rioja Gran Reserva
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- About as heavy as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
Corvina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- About as heavy as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- Substantially less austere.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
Egri Bikavér
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- A little less heavy.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- A little less heavy.
- Substantially less drying or too tannic.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
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 drier, and fuller and richer.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Corvina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Corvina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Change the structure
Same idea, different weight, grip or freshness.
Similar but lighter
Keeps the character but reduces weight, alcohol and density in the mouth.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
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 drier, and less oaky.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
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 drier.
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.
Barossa Shiraz
Both are made from grenache.
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.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
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 drier, and fuller and richer.
Zinfandel
Both are made from carignan, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
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 drier, and fuller and richer.
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 drier.
Touriga Nacional
Touriga Nacional scores closest to Montsant across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.
Xinomavro
Xinomavro scores closest to Montsant across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and drier.
Sagrantino
Sagrantino scores closest to Montsant across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fuller and richer.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Barbera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Oregon Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
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, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Chilean Carmenère
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Alentejo red
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
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 fuller and richer, and less oaky.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and stiller.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
English sparkling rosé
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Sparkling Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more sparkling.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more tannic and structured.
Tawny Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fuller and richer.
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
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Montsant across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more sparkling.
Rondo
Rondo scores closest to Montsant across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Rondinella
Rondinella scores closest to Montsant across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Dornfelder
Dornfelder scores closest to Montsant across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
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 drier, and fuller and richer.
Pinotage
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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, 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.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Gamay
Gamay scores closest to Montsant across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Sémillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less oaky.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
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 drier, and fuller and richer.
Corvina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Rioja Gran Reserva
Both are made from grenache, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
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, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Primitivo
Primitivo scores closest to Montsant across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
California Pinot Noir
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.
Zinfandel
Both are made from carignan, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
California Rhône blend
Both are made from grenache.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Southern Rhône blend
Both are made from grenache, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
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.
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 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 drier, and fuller and richer.
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.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Barossa Shiraz
Both are made from grenache.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Bolgheri
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.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
Both are made from grenache.
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.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
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 drier, and fuller and richer.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Corvina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Egri Bikavér
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
A better-value alternative
Wines that occupy similar sensory territory from regions carrying less price premium. WineHQ does not hold live prices, so this reasons from regional reputation and demand rather than from a price feed — treat it as a lead, not a quote.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Corvina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Egri Bikavér
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Ribera del Duero
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
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.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from syrah.
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.