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.

← Back to Encruzado

Refine

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 keeping the creamy, rounded mouthfeel and that it is properly dry, while moving away from too heavy, too savoury or funky and too tropical or sweet-smelling.

You said you like the creamy, rounded mouthfeel and that it is too tropical or sweet-smelling. Both are about acidity, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.

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.

Pinot Blanc

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

Has some of the creamy, rounded mouthfeel, though less of it.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
Substantially less heavy.
A little less savoury or funky.
A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.

Chardonnay

curated

Comparable structure, texture and response to barrel ageing.

Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
A little less heavy.
About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.

Bical

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

Has some of the creamy, rounded mouthfeel, though less of it.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
Substantially less heavy.
A little less savoury or funky.
About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.

Auxerrois

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

Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
Substantially less heavy.
A little less savoury or funky.
About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.

Koshu

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

Has noticeably less of the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
Substantially less heavy.
A little less savoury or funky.
A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.

Malvazija Istarska

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

Has some of the creamy, rounded mouthfeel, though less of it.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
Substantially less heavy.
A little less savoury or funky.
About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.

Cortese

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

Has some of the creamy, rounded mouthfeel, though less of it.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
Substantially less heavy.
A little less savoury or funky.
A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.

Doña Blanca

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

Has some of the creamy, rounded mouthfeel, though less of it.
Keeps that it is properly dry.
Substantially less heavy.
A little less savoury or funky.
About as tropical or sweet-smelling 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.

Pinot Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and leaner and more cutting.

Chardonnay

curated

Comparable structure, texture and response to barrel ageing.

Expect: Rounder and more overtly oaky.

Bical

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

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more aromatic.

Auxerrois

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

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

Pinot Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and leaner and more cutting.

Bical

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

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more aromatic.

Auxerrois

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

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

Koshu

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

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and lighter.

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.

Pinot Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and leaner and more cutting.

Bical

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

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more aromatic.

Auxerrois

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

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

Malvazija Istarska

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

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

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.

Melon de Bourgogne

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Cortese

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and leaner and more cutting.

Jacquère

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Weinviertel Grüner Veltliner

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

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more aromatic.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Condrieu

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.

Viognier

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

Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.

Chardonnay

curated

Comparable structure, texture and response to barrel ageing.

Expect: Rounder and more overtly oaky.

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 fuller and richer, and more aromatic.

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.

Auxerrois

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

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

Verdicchio

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

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

Xarel·lo

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

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

Altesse

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

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Koshu

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

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and lighter.

Malvazija Istarska

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

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

Mtsvane Kakhuri

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Ribolla Gialla

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

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

Similar but fresher

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

Cortese

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.

Melon de Bourgogne

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.

Štajerska Šipon

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and leaner and more cutting.

Šipon

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and leaner and more cutting.

Similar but softer

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

Auxerrois

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

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

Marsanne

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

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fuller and richer.

Roussanne

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fuller and richer.

Pošip

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.

The sparkling version

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

Crémant

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Glera

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and sweeter.

Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Corpinnat

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Seyval Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter.

Trebbiano Romagnolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter.

Slavonian Graševina

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and leaner and more cutting.

Graševina

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and leaner and more cutting.

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.

Bical

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

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more aromatic.

Auxerrois

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

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

Malvazija Istarska

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

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

Cortese

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and leaner and more cutting.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Chardonnay

curated

Comparable structure, texture and response to barrel ageing.

Expect: Rounder and more overtly oaky.

White Bordeaux

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

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

Sémillon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.

California Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Mtsvane Kakhuri

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Falanghina

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Torrontés

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

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

Loureiro

Both come from the same country.

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

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

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and leaner and more cutting.

Koshu

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

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and lighter.

Cortese

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and leaner and more cutting.

Trebbiano d’Abruzzo

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

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

Similar but more floral

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

Mtsvane Kakhuri

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Falanghina

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Roero Arneis

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

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

Arneis

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

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Muscadet

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Franken Silvaner

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Palomino Fino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Rkatsiteli

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Avesso

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

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

Mtsvane Kakhuri

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Falanghina

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Loureiro

Both come from the same country.

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

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 fuller and richer, and more aromatic.

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 fuller and richer, and fruitier.

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.

Chardonnay

curated

Comparable structure, texture and response to barrel ageing.

Expect: Rounder and more overtly oaky.

Pinot Grigio

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

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and lighter.

Pinot Gris

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Grüner Veltliner

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Something more adventurous

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

Pinot Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and leaner and more cutting.

Bical

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

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more aromatic.

Auxerrois

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

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

Koshu

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

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and lighter.

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.

Pinot Blanc

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and leaner and more cutting.

Bical

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

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more aromatic.

Auxerrois

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

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

Koshu

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

Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and lighter.

A step up

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

Chardonnay

curated

Comparable structure, texture and response to barrel ageing.

Expect: Rounder and more overtly oaky.

White Burgundy

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fuller and richer.

Australian Chardonnay

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Grüner Veltliner

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.