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 keeping the creamy, rounded mouthfeel and the full body and weight, while moving away from 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.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Malvasia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Chardonnay
curatedComparable structure, texture and response to barrel ageing.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- About as savoury or funky as the wine you started from.
Petit Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- Substantially less savoury or funky.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the creamy, rounded mouthfeel.
- Keeps the full body and weight.
- 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.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more herbal and green.
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 less oaky.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Malvasia
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 sweeter.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more herbal and green.
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 less oaky.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Malvasia
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 sweeter.
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.
Hárslevelű
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
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 leaner and more cutting.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and leaner and more cutting.
Auxerrois
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
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.
Dry Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Coteaux du Layon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher and more acidic.
Chardonnay
curatedComparable structure, texture and response to barrel ageing.
Expect: Rounder and more overtly oaky.
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 softer and rounder.
Viognier
Viognier scores closest to Encruzado across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.
Pedro Ximénez
Pedro Ximénez scores closest to Encruzado across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and softer and rounder.
Recioto della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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 rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more herbal and green.
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 less oaky.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Malvasia
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 sweeter.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and leaner and more cutting.
Kisi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less oaky.
Malvazija Istarska
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and leaner and more cutting.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Petit Manseng
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fruitier.
Dry Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more savoury.
Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more savoury.
Petite Arvine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, 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 softer and rounder, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Malvasia
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 sweeter.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
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 less oaky.
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 leaner and more cutting.
Franciacorta
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
Méthode Cap Classique
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
California traditional-method sparkling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and lighter.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
Gewürztraminer
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fruitier.
Malvasia
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 sweeter.
Muscat of Alexandria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fruitier.
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 spicier, and more herbal and green.
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 broader and softer.
Malvasia
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 sweeter.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more floral.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
California Chardonnay
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 more savoury, and less oaky.
Chardonnay
curatedComparable structure, texture and response to barrel ageing.
Expect: Rounder and more overtly oaky.
Dry Furmint
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more savoury.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Gewürztraminer
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fruitier.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more floral.
Muscat of Alexandria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fruitier.
Alsace Pinot Gris
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 more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Pinot Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and leaner and more cutting.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more savoury.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and softer and rounder.
Gewürztraminer
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fruitier.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more floral.
Muscat of Alexandria
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fruitier.
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 fresher and more acidic.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Friuli white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Assyrtiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Alsace Pinot Gris
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 less oaky.
Gewürztraminer
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fruitier.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more floral.
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.
Chardonnay
curatedComparable structure, texture and response to barrel ageing.
Expect: Rounder and more overtly oaky.
California Chardonnay
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 more oaky.
Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and leaner and more cutting.
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 spicier, and more herbal and green.
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 less oaky.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Malvasia
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 sweeter.
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 spicier, and more herbal and green.
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 less oaky.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Malvasia
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 sweeter.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Ribera del Duero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fuller and richer.
Super Tuscan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more savoury.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more oaky.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher and more acidic.
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.