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 that it is properly dry and the full body and weight, while 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.

Sauvignon Blanc

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

Keeps that it is properly dry.
Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less buttery or thick.

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

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

Keeps that it is properly dry.
Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
Substantially less buttery or thick.

Wachau Grüner Veltliner

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

Keeps that it is properly dry.
Keeps the full body and weight.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.

Chardonnay

curated

Comparable structure, texture and response to barrel ageing.

Keeps that it is properly dry.
Keeps the full body and weight.
About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
About as buttery or thick as the wine you started from.

Avesso

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

Keeps that it is properly dry.
Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
A little less buttery or thick.

Torrontés

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

Keeps that it is properly dry.
Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
Substantially less savoury or funky.
A little less buttery or thick.

German dry Riesling (trocken)

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

Keeps that it is properly dry.
Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
Substantially less buttery or thick.

Štajerska Šipon

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

Keeps that it is properly dry.
Has some of the full body and weight, though less of it.
A little 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.

Sauvignon Blanc

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

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

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

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

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

Wachau Grüner Veltliner

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

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

Chardonnay

curated

Comparable structure, texture and response to barrel ageing.

Expect: Rounder and more overtly oaky.

Different grape, similar feel

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

Sauvignon Blanc

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

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

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

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

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

Wachau Grüner Veltliner

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

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

Avesso

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

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

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.

Sauvignon Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Avesso

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

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

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Mtsvane Kakhuri

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

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

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.

Sauvignon Blanc

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

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

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Štajerska Šipon

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

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

Šipon

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

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

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 rounder and creamier in texture.

Viognier

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

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

Pedro Ximénez

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

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

Wachau Grüner Veltliner

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

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

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.

Wachau Grüner Veltliner

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

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

Antão Vaz

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

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

Douro white

Both are made from encruzado, 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 rounder and creamier in texture.

Pošip

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

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

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 lighter, and softer and rounder.

Malvazija Istarska

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

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

Brda Rebula

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

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

Trebbiano Spoletino

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

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

Similar but fresher

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

Sauvignon Blanc

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

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

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

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

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

German dry Riesling (trocken)

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

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

Štajerska Šipon

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

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

Similar but softer

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

Antão Vaz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and 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.

Malagousia

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Roussanne

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.

Austrian Sekt

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.

Sekt

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.

Crémant

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.

Similar but sweeter

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

Gros Manseng

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter.

Montlouis-sur-Loire

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter.

Verdelho

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

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter.

Alsace Riesling

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter.

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.

Wachau Grüner Veltliner

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

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

Avesso

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

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

Torrontés

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

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

Šipon

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

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

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.

Chilean Chardonnay

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

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

Chardonnay

curated

Comparable structure, texture and response to barrel ageing.

Expect: Rounder and more overtly oaky.

South African Chenin Blanc

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

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

Similar but more aromatic

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

Sauvignon Blanc

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

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

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

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

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

Torrontés

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

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

Mtsvane Kakhuri

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.

Pinot Blanc

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

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

Cortese

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Trebbiano d’Abruzzo

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

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

Vernaccia di San Gimignano

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more floral

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

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

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

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

Torrontés

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

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

Mtsvane Kakhuri

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

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

Falanghina

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

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

Similar but more savoury

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

Savennières

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Assyrtiko

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Greco di Tufo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Savagnin

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.

Sauvignon Blanc

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

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

Avesso

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

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

Wachau Grüner Veltliner

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

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, 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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, 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 the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

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

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 lighter, and leaner and more cutting.

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

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

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

Chardonnay

curated

Comparable structure, texture and response to barrel ageing.

Expect: Rounder and more overtly oaky.

German dry Riesling (trocken)

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

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

Something more adventurous

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

Wachau Grüner Veltliner

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

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

Avesso

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

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

Torrontés

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

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

Štajerska Šipon

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

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

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.

Wachau Grüner Veltliner

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

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

Avesso

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

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

Torrontés

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

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

Štajerska Šipon

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

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

A step up

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

South African Chenin Blanc

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

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

Australian Chardonnay

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

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

White Burgundy

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Santorini Assyrtiko

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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.