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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 firm tannic structure, the fresh, crisp acidity and the savoury, non-fruity character.
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.
Chianti Classico
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.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Sangiovese
Both are made from sangiovese, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
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.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Rosso di Montalcino
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.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Etna Rosso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Nerello Mascalese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
Both are made from sangiovese, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Langhe Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
- Keeps the firm tannic structure.
- Keeps the fresh, crisp acidity.
- Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Chianti Classico
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 herbal and green.
Sangiovese
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 more herbal and green, and spicier.
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 more savoury, and more herbal and green.
Rosso di Montalcino
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 fruitier.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Etna Rosso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more floral.
Nerello Mascalese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more floral.
Langhe Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Aglianico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and spicier.
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.
Etna Rosso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more floral.
Langhe Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Nerello Mascalese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more floral.
Red Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fresher.
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.
Red Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fresher.
Loire Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more fruit-driven.
Mondeuse Noire
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fresher.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and softer and rounder.
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 softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Uruguayan Tannat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Douro red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
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 softer and rounder, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Chianti
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 less tannic and softer, and fresher.
Areni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and spicier.
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fresher.
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 less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Aglianico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and spicier.
Barbaresco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more aromatic.
Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more aromatic.
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 tannic and structured, and more savoury.
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 Classico
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 herbal and green.
Etna Rosso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more floral.
Rosso di Montalcino
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 fruitier.
Nerello Mascalese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more floral.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Swartland Syrah and Rhône blends
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fruitier.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Hawke’s Bay Syrah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fruitier.
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 softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Sparkling Shiraz
Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Vino Nobile di Montepulciano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and softer and rounder.
Lambrusco
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and softer and rounder.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and softer and rounder.
Chianti Classico
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 stiller, and fresher.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Saperavi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and spicier.
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 softer and rounder.
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 softer and rounder.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
Chianti
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 less tannic and softer, and fresher.
Cornalin
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fruitier.
Etna Rosso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more oaky.
Langhe Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
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 softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
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 softer and rounder, and more fruit-driven.
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 come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more aromatic.
Barolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more savoury.
Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more aromatic.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and softer and rounder.
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.
Chianti Classico
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 aromatic.
Sangiovese
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 more aromatic, and more herbal and green.
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 more savoury, and more aromatic.
Rosso di Montalcino
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 fruitier.
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 come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more floral.
Barolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more savoury.
Dão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more floral.
Etna Rosso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more neutral and subtle.
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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more herbal and green.
Taurasi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more tannic and structured.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more tannic and structured.
Naoussa Xinomavro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more tannic and structured.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Blaufränkisch
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 fruit-driven.
Rosso di Montalcino
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 fruitier, and fresher.
Refosco
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.
Langhe Nebbiolo
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 fresher.
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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fresher.
Chianti Classico
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 herbal and green.
Sangiovese
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 fuller and richer, and more herbal and green.
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 more savoury, and fuller and richer.
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 softer and rounder, and more fruit-driven.
Rosso di Montalcino
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 fruitier, and fresher.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
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 more savoury, and fruitier.
Chianti Classico
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 lighter.
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 Classico
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 herbal and green.
Sangiovese
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 more herbal and green, and spicier.
Chianti
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 less tannic and softer, and fresher.
Barbaresco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more aromatic.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
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 more savoury, and more herbal and green.
Rosso di Montalcino
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 fruitier.
Etna Rosso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more floral.
Nerello Mascalese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more floral.
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.
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 more savoury, and more herbal and green.
Rosso di Montalcino
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 fruitier.
Etna Rosso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more floral.
Nerello Mascalese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more floral.
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 softer and rounder, 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 softer and rounder, and fruitier.
Priorat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more tannic and structured.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Châteauneuf-du-Pape scores closest to Vino Nobile di Montepulciano across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, 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.