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 savoury, non-fruity character and the bright red-fruited character, while moving away from too plain or too simple and too savoury or funky.
- You said you like the savoury, non-fruity character and that it is too savoury or funky. Both are about savoury character, 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.
Barbera d’Asti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- A little less savoury or funky.
Barbera d’Alba
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Barbera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- A little less savoury or funky.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from sangiovese, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Has noticeably less of the bright red-fruited character.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- A little less savoury or funky.
Bolgheri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Has noticeably less of the bright red-fruited character.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- A little less savoury or funky.
Chianti Classico
Both are made from sangiovese, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Keeps the bright red-fruited character.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
- Has some of the bright red-fruited character, though less of it.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- A little less savoury or funky.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Barbera d’Asti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
Barbera d’Alba
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and broader and softer.
Barbera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
Super Tuscan
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 broader and softer, 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.
Barbera d’Asti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
Barbera d’Alba
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and broader and softer.
Barbera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
Bolgheri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, 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.
Barbera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Cru Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Loire Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
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 less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
Loire Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less oaky.
Valpolicella
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Super Tuscan
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 fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
Bolgheri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Barbera d’Alba
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and broader and softer.
Barbera d’Asti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
Barbera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
New Zealand Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less oaky.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Baga
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more savoury.
Bairrada Baga
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more savoury.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less oaky.
Brunello di Montalcino
Both are made from sangiovese, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and broader and softer.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Super Tuscan
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 broader and softer, and fuller and richer.
Bolgheri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fuller and richer.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fuller and richer.
Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less oaky.
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 broader and softer, and more fruit-driven.
Lambrusco
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Barbera d’Asti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and stiller.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Corvina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and broader and softer.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more restrained in fruit.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less oaky.
Tawny Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more savoury.
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.
Refosco
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
Graciano
Graciano scores closest to Rosso di Montalcino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Bobal
Bobal scores closest to Rosso di Montalcino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and broader and softer.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
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 fuller and richer.
Bolgheri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fuller and richer.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more restrained in fruit.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fuller and richer.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less oaky.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less oaky.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less oaky.
Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, 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.
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.
Barbera d’Asti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
Barbera d’Alba
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and broader and softer.
Barbera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
Super Tuscan
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 broader and softer, and fuller and richer.
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 less oaky.
Argentine Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less oaky.
Uco Valley Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, 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 more savoury, and less oaky.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Chianti Classico Riserva
Both are made from sangiovese, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
Both are made from sangiovese, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less oaky.
Brunello di Montalcino
Both are made from sangiovese, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and broader and softer.
Naoussa Xinomavro
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Barbera d’Alba
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and broader and softer.
Bolgheri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fuller and richer.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fuller and richer.
Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fuller and richer.
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.
Chianti Classico
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 more restrained in fruit, and less oaky.
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 more restrained in fruit, and more savoury.
Chianti
Both are made from sangiovese, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
Sangiovese
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 more restrained in fruit, and less oaky.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Super Tuscan
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 broader and softer, and fuller and richer.
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 more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Chianti Classico
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 more restrained in fruit, and less oaky.
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 more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
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.
Barbera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
Super Tuscan
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 broader and softer, and fuller and richer.
Chianti Classico
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 more restrained in fruit, and less oaky.
New Zealand Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less oaky.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Barbera d’Asti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
Barbera d’Alba
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and broader and softer.
Bolgheri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fuller and richer.
Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, 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.
Barbera d’Asti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
Barbera d’Alba
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and broader and softer.
Bolgheri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and fuller and richer.
Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less oaky.
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.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more savoury.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more savoury.
Priorat
Priorat scores closest to Rosso di Montalcino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more savoury.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Châteauneuf-du-Pape scores closest to Rosso di Montalcino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and broader and softer.
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.