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.
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.
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 savoury or funky and too buttery or thick.
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.
Montlouis-sur-Loire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
Gros Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
Petite Arvine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
Loureiro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
Sauvignon Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
Spätlese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
- Substantially less buttery or thick.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Montlouis-sur-Loire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.
Gros Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.
Petite Arvine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.
Loureiro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more floral.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Montlouis-sur-Loire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.
Gros Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.
Petite Arvine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.
Loureiro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more floral.
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.
Loureiro
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.
Montlouis-sur-Loire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more floral.
Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and sweeter.
Sauvignon Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more herbal and green.
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.
Loureiro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more floral.
Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and lighter.
Spätlese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.
Montlouis-sur-Loire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.
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 rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
Viognier
Viognier scores closest to Encruzado across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
Pedro Ximénez
Pedro Ximénez scores closest to Encruzado across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
Petit Manseng
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, 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.
Montlouis-sur-Loire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.
Gros Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.
Loureiro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more floral.
Petite Arvine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.
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 softer and rounder, and more floral.
Malvazija Istarska
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more restrained in fruit.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more restrained in fruit.
Brda Rebula
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Gros Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.
Loureiro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more floral.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and fruitier.
Montlouis-sur-Loire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Antão Vaz
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Pošip
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Malvasia
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Malagousia
Malagousia scores closest to Encruzado across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more floral.
Austrian Sekt
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more sparkling.
Sekt
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more sparkling.
Crémant
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Petite Arvine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.
Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and sweeter.
Spätlese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.
Montlouis-sur-Loire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.
Gros Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter.
Loureiro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more floral.
Petite Arvine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter.
Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and lighter.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Dry Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more savoury.
Furmint
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more savoury.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more savoury.
Chilean Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more savoury.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and fruitier.
Sauvignon Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more aromatic.
Loureiro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more floral.
Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and lighter.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Cortese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and lighter.
Pinot Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more restrained in fruit.
Seyval Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and softer and rounder.
Jacquère
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and lighter.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Loureiro
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.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and fruitier.
Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and lighter.
Spätlese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Hunter Valley Semillon
Hunter Valley Semillon scores closest to Encruzado across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Sercial
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Chablis
Chablis scores closest to Encruzado across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Etna Bianco
Etna Bianco scores closest to Encruzado 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.
Montlouis-sur-Loire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.
Gros Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.
Loureiro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more floral.
Sauvignon Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more herbal and green.
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.
Sauvignon Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and more herbal and green.
Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and lighter.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be leaner and more cutting, and fruitier.
Vinho Verde
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 restrained in fruit.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Montlouis-sur-Loire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.
Gros Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.
Petite Arvine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.
Loureiro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.
Montlouis-sur-Loire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.
Gros Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.
Petite Arvine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and less oaky.
Loureiro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more floral.
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.
German dry Riesling (trocken)
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
South African Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
Rías Baixas Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
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.