If you like this, try…
Wines like Rosso di Montalcino
Brunello’s younger sibling: the same grape and hill town with a far shorter ageing requirement, and often outstanding value. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Rosso di Montalcino?
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 bright red fruit
- Raspberry, redcurrant, sour cherry — lighter and sharper than dark fruit, usually from a cooler place or an earlier picking.
- How fresh and crisp it is
- Acidity is what makes your mouth water and makes a wine feel refreshing rather than heavy. It is the single most useful thing to know about your own taste.
- 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.
- 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.
- The savoury, meaty side
- Leather, olive, cured meat, dried herbs, tobacco. It is what people mean by calling a wine "serious" rather than "fruity", and it comes with age as well as with place.
Looking for something keeping the firm tannic structure, while moving away from too sharp or acidic, too tart or sour-fruited and too green or grassy.
Based on what you said
Ranked against the qualities you named rather than against the wine as a whole. The directions below are refined the same way.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Cahors
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Carignan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Uruguayan Tannat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Both are made from sangiovese, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- A little less sharp or acidic.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Douro red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter.
Cahors
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter.
Carignan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter.
Cahors
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter.
Carignan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.
Change the structure
Same idea, different weight, grip or freshness.
Similar but lighter
Keeps the character but reduces weight, alcohol and density in the mouth.
Colorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
Dolcetto
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
Rondinella
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Grolleau
Grolleau scores closest to Rosso di Montalcino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Uruguayan Tannat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Douro red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Alicante Bouschet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and softer and rounder.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Rioja Gran Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and broader and softer.
Nero d’Avola
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and riper and less green.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and broader and softer.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Montefalco Sagrantino
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 broader and softer.
Sagrantino
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 broader and softer.
Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and broader and softer.
Madiran
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and broader and softer.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Douro red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter.
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 fruitier, and less tannic and softer.
Lambrusco
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and stiller.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Sagrantino
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 broader and softer.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter.
Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
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.
Bobal
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.
Cornalin
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.
Nero di Troia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter.
Colorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from sangiovese, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fruitier.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and riper and less green.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and softer and rounder.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more tannic and structured.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more tannic and structured.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter.
Carignan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.
Uruguayan Tannat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
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 broader and softer, and softer and rounder.
Cahors
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Douro red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Dão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Rioja Gran Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter.
Chianti Classico Riserva
Both are made from sangiovese, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.
Taurasi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more tannic and structured.
Northern Rhône Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and softer and rounder.
McLaren Vale Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and softer and rounder.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Change the place
Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.
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.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Both are made from sangiovese, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
Both are made from sangiovese, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.
Chianti Classico Riserva
Both are made from sangiovese, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.
Brunello di Montalcino
Both are made from sangiovese, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more tannic and structured.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from sangiovese, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
Both are made from sangiovese, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fruitier.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Both are made from sangiovese, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.
Brunello di Montalcino
Both are made from sangiovese, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, 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.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and lighter.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from sangiovese, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fruitier.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Cahors
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Carignan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.
Uruguayan Tannat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Both are made from sangiovese, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.
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.
Cahors
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Carignan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and riper and less green.
Uruguayan Tannat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Both are made from sangiovese, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.
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.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and broader and softer.
Priorat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and broader and softer.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Châteauneuf-du-Pape scores closest to Rosso di Montalcino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and fruitier.
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.