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 savoury or funky, too oaky or woody and too heavy.
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.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- A little less savoury or funky.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less heavy.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- A little less savoury or funky.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less heavy.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- A little less savoury or funky.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less heavy.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- A little less savoury or funky.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less heavy.
Bonarda
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less heavy.
Refosco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- A little less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less heavy.
Dolcetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- A little less savoury or funky.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less heavy.
Chilean Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- A little less savoury or funky.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less heavy.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
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 restrained in fruit, and less tannic and softer.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less tannic and softer.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less tannic and softer.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more herbal and green.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
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 restrained in fruit, and less tannic and softer.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less tannic and softer.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less tannic and softer.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more herbal and 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.
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 restrained in fruit, and less tannic and softer.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less tannic and softer.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less tannic and softer.
Refosco
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 more restrained in fruit.
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.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less tannic and softer.
Cru Beaujolais
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Loire Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Refosco
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 more restrained in fruit.
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.
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 restrained in fruit, and less tannic and softer.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less tannic and softer.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more herbal and green.
Bonarda
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
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 restrained in fruit, and less tannic and softer.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less tannic and softer.
Bonarda
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more restrained in fruit.
Barbera d’Alba
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 less tannic and softer.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Refosco
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 more restrained in fruit.
Barbera d’Alba
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 less tannic and softer.
Loire Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more restrained in fruit.
Graciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
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 restrained in fruit, and less tannic and softer.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less tannic and softer.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Southern Rhône blend
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more restrained in fruit.
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 more fruit-driven, and spicier.
Lambrusco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
English sparkling rosé
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
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 restrained in fruit, and less tannic and softer.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less tannic and softer.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less tannic and softer.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more herbal and green.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Ruby Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and spicier.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and lighter.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, 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.
Refosco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
Corvinone
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Bobal
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more restrained in fruit.
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 restrained in fruit, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Pinotage
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and spicier.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.
Bolgheri
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and lighter.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less tannic and softer.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more savoury.
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.
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 restrained in fruit, and more aromatic.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more aromatic.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more aromatic.
Bonarda
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and lighter.
Bierzo Mencía
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more restrained in fruit.
Cru Beaujolais
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more oaky.
Chianti Classico Riserva
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Naoussa Xinomavro
Naoussa Xinomavro scores closest to Montefalco Sagrantino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Xinomavro
Xinomavro scores closest to Montefalco Sagrantino across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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 come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less tannic and softer.
California Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more oaky.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
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.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more oaky.
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.
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 restrained in fruit, and less tannic and softer.
Cru Beaujolais
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more restrained in fruit.
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
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 restrained in fruit.
Gamay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more fruit-driven.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less tannic and softer.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less tannic and softer.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more herbal and green.
Bonarda
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more restrained in fruit.
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.
Montepulciano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less tannic and softer.
Morgon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less tannic and softer.
Montsant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more herbal and green.
Bonarda
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more restrained in fruit.
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.
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 restrained in fruit, and less tannic and softer.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and spicier.
Chianti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more restrained in fruit.
Brunello di Montalcino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, 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.