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Wines like Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Sangiovese from the Tuscan town of Montepulciano — and, confusingly, nothing to do with the Montepulciano grape. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Vino Nobile di Montepulciano?
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 keeping the savoury, non-fruity character, while moving away from too oaky or woody, too sharp or acidic 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.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less austere.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less austere.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- About as oaky or woody as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less austere.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- A little less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less austere.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less austere.
Negroamaro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
Rondinella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Has noticeably less of the savoury, non-fruity character.
- Substantially less oaky or woody.
- Substantially less sharp or acidic.
- Substantially less austere.
Dão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
- A little less oaky or woody.
- A little less sharp or acidic.
- 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.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Sagrantino
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 fruitier.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less oaky.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Sagrantino
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 fruitier.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, 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.
Rondinella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
Grolleau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fresher.
Portugieser
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, 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.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fresher.
Grolleau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
Cru Beaujolais
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Sagrantino
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 fruitier.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and drier.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and softer and rounder.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Sagrantino
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 fruitier.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.
Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
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
Both are made from sangiovese, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
Rosso di Montalcino
Both are made from sangiovese, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
Etna Rosso
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Negroamaro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Sagrantino
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 fruitier.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more fruit-driven.
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 fruitier.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fresher.
Lambrusco
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fresher.
Franciacorta
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Sagrantino
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 fruitier.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less oaky.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and softer and rounder.
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.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Rondinella
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.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Pinotage
Pinotage scores closest to Vino Nobile di Montepulciano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
Rioja
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
Rioja Reserva
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
Tempranillo
Tempranillo scores closest to Vino Nobile di Montepulciano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and drier.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and drier.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more fruit-driven.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Sagrantino
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 fruitier.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Dão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more oaky.
Cahors
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
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 drier, and more savoury.
Rioja Gran Reserva
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Naoussa Xinomavro
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
Both are made from sangiovese, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Sagrantino
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 oaky.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and softer and rounder.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.
Chianti
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 drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Rosso di Montalcino
Both are made from sangiovese, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Chianti Classico Riserva
Both are made from sangiovese, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Canaiolo
Both are made from canaiolo, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from sangiovese, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Rosso di Montalcino
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 drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
Both are made from sangiovese, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Canaiolo
Both are made from canaiolo, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and drier.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more fruit-driven.
Chianti
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 drier, and fresher.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Sagrantino
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 fruitier.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, 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.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Sagrantino
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 fruitier.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less oaky.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and drier.
Priorat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Châteauneuf-du-Pape scores closest to Vino Nobile di Montepulciano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Ribera del Duero
Ribera del Duero scores closest to Vino Nobile di Montepulciano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
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.