If you like this, try…
Wines like Montefalco Sagrantino
Umbria’s ferociously tannic red — among the highest measured tannin concentrations of any wine grape. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Montefalco Sagrantino?
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.
- The vanilla and oak
- Vanilla, toast, coconut, sweet spice, sometimes smoke. It comes from the barrel rather than the grape, which is why the same grape can taste completely different with and without it.
- 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.
- The earthy, mineral side
- Forest floor, wet stone, mushroom, damp earth. Widely described and much less well explained than wine writing implies — the sensation is real, the causal story usually is not.
Looking for something moving away from too oaky or woody, too heavy and too jammy or sweet-tasting.
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.
Cahors
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less heavy.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Carignan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less heavy.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Etna Rosso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less heavy.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Nerello Mascalese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less heavy.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Chianti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less heavy.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Chianti Classico Riserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Dão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less heavy.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Barbaresco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less heavy.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Cahors
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
Carignan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
Etna Rosso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Nerello Mascalese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Cahors
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
Carignan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
Etna Rosso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Nerello Mascalese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
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.
Cahors
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
Carignan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
Etna Rosso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Nerello Mascalese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
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.
Cahors
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
Carignan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
Etna Rosso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Nerello Mascalese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
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.
Negroamaro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Cahors
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more oaky.
Carignan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Chianti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Cahors
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
Negroamaro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Carignan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Etna Rosso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Nerello Mascalese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Chianti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Chianti Classico Riserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more herbal and green.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Mourvèdre
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more oaky.
Languedoc red
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and fruitier.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Lambrusco
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less oaky.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less oaky.
Sparkling Shiraz
Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Montefalco Sagrantino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.
Champagne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Cahors
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more floral.
Carignan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fresher.
Etna Rosso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Nerello Mascalese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less oaky.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less oaky.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less oaky.
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.
Cahors
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
Etna Rosso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Nerello Mascalese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Carignan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Rioja Gran Reserva
Rioja Gran Reserva scores closest to Montefalco Sagrantino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
Rioja
Rioja scores closest to Montefalco Sagrantino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
Rioja Reserva
Rioja Reserva scores closest to Montefalco Sagrantino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
Tempranillo
Tempranillo scores closest to Montefalco Sagrantino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Barbaresco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Barolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more oaky.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter.
Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more oaky.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Franken Silvaner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Carignan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more aromatic.
Chianti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Chianti Classico Riserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more aromatic.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Barbaresco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Cahors
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more neutral and subtle.
Barolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more oaky.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Chianti Classico Riserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more herbal and green.
Naoussa Xinomavro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Xinomavro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more oaky.
Taurasi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more oaky.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Barbera d’Alba
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
California Pinot Noir
California Pinot Noir scores closest to Montefalco Sagrantino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
New Zealand Pinot Noir
New Zealand Pinot Noir scores closest to Montefalco Sagrantino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.
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.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher 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.
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.
Chianti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Barbaresco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Chianti Classico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Barolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more oaky.
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, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
Carignan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
Etna Rosso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Nerello Mascalese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
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, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
Carignan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
Etna Rosso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Nerello Mascalese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
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.
Barolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more oaky.
Brunello di Montalcino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.
Chianti
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Barbaresco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more fruit-driven.
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.