If you like this, try…
Wines like Nero di Troia
A late-ripening Puglian variety producing structured, spicy reds with real ageing potential. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Nero di Troia?
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 rich dark fruit
- Blackberry, plum, black cherry — fruit that tastes ripe and generous rather than tart. It comes from warm-climate ripening and it is what most people mean when they call a red "fruity".
- The firm, grippy structure
- High tannin — the drying grip on your gums, like over-brewed tea. It gives a red something to hold on to with rich food, and it is what lets a wine age.
- 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.
- That it is not oaky
- No barrel character — just the fruit and the acidity. Chablis and Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc are the reference points.
- The spice
- Black pepper, clove, cinnamon. Some of it is the grape — the pepper in Syrah is a measured compound called rotundone — and some is the barrel.
- 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 peppery, spicy character, while moving away from too heavy, too plain or too simple, too austere and too peppery.
- You said you like the peppery, spicy character and that it is too peppery. Both are about spice, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
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.
Corvina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
- About as heavy as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less peppery.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less peppery.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less peppery.
Egri Bikavér
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
- A little less heavy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less peppery.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of the peppery, spicy character.
- About as heavy as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less peppery.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
- More heavy, not less.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less peppery.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of the peppery, spicy character.
- Substantially less heavy.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less peppery.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Has noticeably less of the peppery, spicy character.
- Substantially less heavy.
- About as plain or too simple as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less peppery.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Corvina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.
Egri Bikavér
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Corvina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.
Egri Bikavér
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
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.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.
Red Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
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.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.
Red Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Touriga Nacional
Touriga Nacional scores closest to Nero di Troia across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Primitivo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Primitivo di Manduria
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Corvina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Aglianico
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Brunello di Montalcino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Taurasi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.
Blaufränkisch
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Saperavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Areni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Agiorgitiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Alentejo red
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Sparkling Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Lambrusco
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Franciacorta
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Sparkling Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fuller and richer.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fuller and richer.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Corvina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.
Nebbiolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Barolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.
Corvina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Egri Bikavér
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Nebbiolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.
Taurasi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Barolo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
Primitivo
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
California Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Nero di Troia across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fuller and richer.
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 Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.
Barbera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Sangiovese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Corvina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Egri Bikavér
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fuller and richer.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
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.
Corvina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fuller and richer.
Egri Bikavér
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fuller and richer.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and stronger and warmer.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Priorat
Priorat scores closest to Nero di Troia across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Ribera del Duero
Ribera del Duero scores closest to Nero di Troia across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
Argentine Malbec
Argentine Malbec scores closest to Nero di Troia across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and drier.
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.