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 tropical or sweet-smelling, too heavy and too austere.
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.
Trebbiano Toscano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less austere.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less austere.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less austere.
Welschriesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less austere.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less austere.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less austere.
Trebbiano Romagnolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less austere.
Seyval Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less austere.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Trebbiano Toscano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more oaky.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Welschriesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Trebbiano Toscano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more oaky.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Welschriesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, 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 Toscano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more oaky.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Chenin Blanc
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.
Trebbiano Toscano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Seyval Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Vinho Verde
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
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.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and leaner and more cutting.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Trebbiano Toscano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Grechetto
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more oaky.
Trebbiano Toscano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Welschriesling
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.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Koshu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Rkatsiteli
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.
Istrian Malvazija
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more aromatic.
English still white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
Vinho Verde
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
Melon de Bourgogne
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Alsace Pinot Gris
Alsace Pinot Gris scores closest to Encruzado across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
California Chardonnay
California Chardonnay scores closest to Encruzado across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Auxerrois
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
Malvasia
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Cava
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.
English sparkling wine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.
Crémant
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.
Corpinnat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more oaky.
Trebbiano Toscano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, 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.
Trebbiano Toscano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Welschriesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Trebbiano Romagnolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Furmint
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
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.
Aidani
Aidani scores closest to Encruzado across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter.
Hárslevelű
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Welsh white wine
Welsh white wine scores closest to Encruzado across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and drier.
Finger Lakes Riesling
Finger Lakes Riesling scores closest to Encruzado across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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.
Trebbiano Toscano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more oaky.
Seyval Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Silvaner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Welschriesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Aidani
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter.
Hárslevelű
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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 drier, and lighter.
Franken Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Palomino Fino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
Sercial
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Hárslevelű
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Riesling
Riesling scores closest to Encruzado across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Ortega
Ortega scores closest to Encruzado across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Muscadelle
Muscadelle scores closest to Encruzado across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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.
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.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.
Vinho Verde
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Glera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Trebbiano Toscano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more oaky.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Welschriesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, 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.
Trebbiano Toscano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more oaky.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Welschriesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
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.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.
Chablis
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.
White Burgundy
White Burgundy scores closest to Encruzado across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
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.