If you like this, try…

Wines like Encruzado

The Dão’s outstanding white variety, capable of Burgundian weight and longevity. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

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What do you like about Encruzado?

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.

I like…

How full and weighty it is The creamy, rounded texture That it is properly dry

But it’s a bit…

too sharp or lemony too tropical or sweet-smelling too heavy too buttery or thick too savoury or funky too austere

Clear all

What these words mean

The citrus and orchard fruit: Lemon, lime, green apple, pear. The signature of a cool-climate white — quieter and less perfumed than tropical fruit, and a different thing from the acidity it usually travels with.
The tropical fruit: Passionfruit, mango, pineapple, guava. It comes from riper fruit and warmer sites, and it is the difference between Marlborough and Sancerre in the same grape.
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 creamy, rounded texture: A soft, almost dairy-like roundness. In white wine it usually comes from malolactic fermentation or from time on the lees, not from the grape.
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.
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 moving away from too sharp or lemony and too savoury or funky.

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.

Malvasia

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

A little less sharp or lemony.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Malagousia

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

A little less sharp or lemony.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Maria Gomes

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

A little less sharp or lemony.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Vidal

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

A little less sharp or lemony.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Mtsvane Kakhuri

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

A little less sharp or lemony.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Alsace Pinot Gris

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

A little less sharp or lemony.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Hárslevelű

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

A little less sharp or lemony.
Substantially less savoury or funky.

Solaris

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

A little less sharp or lemony.
Substantially 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.

Malvasia

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.

Malagousia

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less oaky.

Maria Gomes

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter.

Vidal

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter in alcohol.

Different grape, similar feel

Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.

Malvasia

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.

Malagousia

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less oaky.

Maria Gomes

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter.

Vidal

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter in alcohol.

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.

Maria Gomes

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and sweeter.

Mtsvane Kakhuri

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less oaky.

Solaris

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more floral.

Hárslevelű

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more floral.

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.

Vidal

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter in alcohol.

Loureiro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.

Falanghina

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more floral.

Kerner

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Condrieu

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more aromatic.

Viognier

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more aromatic.

Pedro Ximénez

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more neutral and subtle.

Moscatel de Setúbal

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.

Similar but less tannic

For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.

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.

Alsace Pinot Gris

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and spicier.

Malagousia

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less oaky.

Vidal

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter in alcohol.

Hárslevelű

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more floral.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Mtsvane Kakhuri

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less oaky.

Malvasia

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.

Malvazija Istarska

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.

Istrian Malvazija

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more neutral and subtle.

Similar but fresher

Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.

Gros Manseng

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and sweeter.

Loureiro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.

Petite Arvine

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and sweeter.

Riesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.

Similar but softer

Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.

Alsace Pinot Gris

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and spicier.

Condrieu

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more aromatic.

Viognier

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more aromatic.

Malvasia

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.

The sparkling version

Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.

Asti

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more aromatic.

Glera

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more neutral and subtle.

Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more floral.

Prosecco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more fruit-driven.

Similar but sweeter

Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.

Malvasia

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.

Vidal

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter in alcohol.

Alsace Pinot Gris

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and spicier.

Hárslevelű

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more floral.

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.

Malvasia

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and softer and rounder.

Malagousia

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and softer and rounder.

Maria Gomes

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter.

Vidal

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter in alcohol.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

California Chardonnay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and broader and softer.

White Bordeaux

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more savoury.

Chardonnay

curated

Comparable structure, texture and response to barrel ageing.

Expect: Rounder and more overtly oaky.

Sémillon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more savoury.

Similar but more aromatic

More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.

Malagousia

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less oaky.

Maria Gomes

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter.

Mtsvane Kakhuri

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less oaky.

Alsace Pinot Gris

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and spicier.

Similar but more restrained

For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.

Pinot Blanc

Pinot Blanc scores closest to Encruzado across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and fresher.

Sémillon

Sémillon scores closest to Encruzado across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more savoury.

Koshu

Koshu scores closest to Encruzado across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.

Chasselas

Chasselas scores closest to Encruzado across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.

Similar but more floral

Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.

Malagousia

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less oaky.

Maria Gomes

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter.

Alsace Pinot Gris

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and spicier.

Mtsvane Kakhuri

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less oaky.

Similar but more savoury

Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.

Sercial

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more neutral and subtle.

Palomino Fino

Palomino Fino scores closest to Encruzado across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.

Roussanne

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more floral.

Malvasia

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.

Similar but fruitier

More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.

Malvasia

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.

Malagousia

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less oaky.

Maria Gomes

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter.

Vidal

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter in alcohol.

Change the place

Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.

Same grape, cooler climate

Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.

Douro white

Both are made from encruzado, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more savoury.

Same grape, warmer climate

Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.

Douro white

Both are made from encruzado, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, 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.

Pinot Gris

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and more restrained in fruit.

Chardonnay

curated

Comparable structure, texture and response to barrel ageing.

Expect: Rounder and more overtly oaky.

California Chardonnay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and broader and softer.

Glera

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more neutral and subtle.

Something more adventurous

Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.

Malvasia

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.

Malagousia

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less oaky.

Maria Gomes

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter.

Vidal

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter in alcohol.

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.

Malvasia

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.

Malagousia

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and less oaky.

Maria Gomes

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and lighter.

Vidal

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter in alcohol.

A step up

The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.

California Chardonnay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and broader and softer.

Chardonnay

curated

Comparable structure, texture and response to barrel ageing.

Expect: Rounder and more overtly oaky.

Australian Chardonnay

Australian Chardonnay scores closest to Encruzado across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher.

South African Chenin Blanc

South African Chenin Blanc scores closest to Encruzado across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher.

How these are chosen

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.