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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 savoury or funky, too buttery or thick, too tropical or sweet-smelling and too sharp or lemony.

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.

Malvazija Istarska

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

A little less savoury or funky.
A little less buttery or thick.
About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.
A little less sharp or lemony.

Trebbiano Romagnolo

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

A little less savoury or funky.
A little less buttery or thick.
A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.

Aidani

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

A little less savoury or funky.
A little less buttery or thick.
More tropical or sweet-smelling, not less.
A little less sharp or lemony.

Pinot Gris

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

A little less savoury or funky.
A little less buttery or thick.
About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.
A little less sharp or lemony.

Roero Arneis

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

A little less savoury or funky.
A little less buttery or thick.
About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.
A little less sharp or lemony.

Macabeo

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

A little less savoury or funky.
A little less buttery or thick.
About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.
A little less sharp or lemony.

Treixadura

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

A little less savoury or funky.
A little less buttery or thick.
About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.
A little less sharp or lemony.

Arneis

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

A little less savoury or funky.
A little less buttery or thick.
About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.
A little less sharp or lemony.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.

Malvazija Istarska

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

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

Trebbiano Romagnolo

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

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

Aidani

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

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

Pinot Gris

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

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

Malvazija Istarska

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

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

Trebbiano Romagnolo

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

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

Aidani

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

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

Pinot Gris

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

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

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.

Trebbiano Romagnolo

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

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

Malvazija Istarska

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

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

Aidani

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

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

Trebbiano Toscano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Trebbiano Romagnolo

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

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

Trebbiano Toscano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Jacquère

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Koshu

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Viognier

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Pedro Ximénez

Pedro Ximénez scores closest to Encruzado across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Roussanne

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

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.

Roussanne

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Trebbiano Romagnolo

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

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

Aidani

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

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

Pinot Gris

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

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

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 fruitier, and more floral.

Malvazija Istarska

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

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

Koshu

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Istrian Malvazija

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

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

Similar but fresher

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

Jacquère

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

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

Štajerska Šipon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Vinho Verde

Both come from the same country.

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

Šipon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but softer

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

Roussanne

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.

Auxerrois

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Alsace Pinot Gris

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.

Malvasia

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

The sparkling version

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

Glera

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.

Crémant

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

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

Prosecco

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.

Similar but sweeter

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

Aidani

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

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

Trebbiano Toscano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Albana

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

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

Trebbiano Romagnolo

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

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

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.

Malvazija Istarska

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

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

Trebbiano Romagnolo

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

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

Aidani

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

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

Treixadura

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

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

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.

Sémillon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and rounder and creamier in texture.

White Bordeaux

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and rounder and creamier in texture.

California Chardonnay

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Aidani

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

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

Mtsvane Kakhuri

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

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

Roussanne

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Maria Gomes

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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.

Koshu

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Trebbiano Toscano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Pinot Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Chasselas

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and softer and rounder.

Similar but more floral

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

Aidani

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

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

Mtsvane Kakhuri

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

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

Roussanne

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Maria Gomes

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

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Palomino Fino

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

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

Sercial

Both come from the same country.

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

Muscadet

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

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

Retsina

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

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Mtsvane Kakhuri

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Avesso

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

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

Maria Gomes

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

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

Solaris

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 neutral and subtle.

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 fruitier, and fresher.

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 fruitier.

Chardonnay

curated

Comparable structure, texture and response to barrel ageing.

Expect: Rounder and more overtly oaky.

Pinot Grigio

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Vinho Verde

Both come from the same country.

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.

Malvazija Istarska

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

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

Trebbiano Romagnolo

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

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

Aidani

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

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

Roero Arneis

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

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

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.

Malvazija Istarska

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

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

Trebbiano Romagnolo

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

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

Aidani

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

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

Roero Arneis

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

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

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

White Burgundy scores closest to Encruzado across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Australian Chardonnay

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

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 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.