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Wines like Touriga Nacional

Portugal’s most prized red variety: intensely floral, deeply coloured and firmly structured. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

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What do you like about Touriga Nacional?

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…

The rich dark fruit The firm, grippy structure How full and weighty it is The floral character

But it’s a bit…

too jammy or sweet-tasting too drying or too tannic too heavy too floral or soapy too peppery too sweet

Clear all

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.
The floral character: Rose, violet, elderflower, orange blossom.
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.
The touch of sweetness: Actual sugar left in the wine, which is a different thing from tasting fruity. A wine can smell of ripe peach and be completely dry.

Looking for something keeping the full body and weight, while moving away from too sweet.

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.

Douro red

Both are made from touriga nacional, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Keeps the full body and weight.
Substantially less sweet.

Petit Verdot

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

Keeps the full body and weight.
Substantially less sweet.

Argentine Malbec

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

Keeps the full body and weight.
Substantially less sweet.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Keeps the full body and weight.
Substantially less sweet.

Alicante Bouschet

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

Keeps the full body and weight.
Substantially less sweet.

Uruguayan Tannat

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

Keeps the full body and weight.
Substantially less sweet.

Bolgheri

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

Keeps the full body and weight.
Substantially less sweet.

Super Tuscan

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

Keeps the full body and weight.
Substantially less sweet.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Douro red

Both are made from touriga nacional, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.

Petit Verdot

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

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

Argentine Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.

Different grape, similar feel

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

Petit Verdot

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

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

Argentine Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.

Alicante Bouschet

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.

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.

Malbec

curated

Both are dark, floral, full-bodied reds.

Expect: Softer tannin and a plusher, less firm structure.

Syrah

curated

Comparable density, structure and dark fruit.

Expect: Peppery and savoury rather than floral.

Alentejo red

Both are made from touriga nacional, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.

Uco Valley Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.

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.

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)

Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir) scores closest to Touriga Nacional across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.

Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir scores closest to Touriga Nacional across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.

Cru Beaujolais

Cru Beaujolais scores closest to Touriga Nacional across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

Cerasuolo di Vittoria scores closest to Touriga Nacional across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.

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.

Argentine Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less floral.

Similar but less tannic

For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less floral.

Argentine Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

Primitivo di Manduria

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less floral.

Douro red

Both are made from touriga nacional, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.

Similar but fresher

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

Saperavi

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.

Brunello di Montalcino

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Aglianico

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Taurasi

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Similar but softer

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

Argentine Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

Barossa Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.

Dalmatian Plavac Mali

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.

The sparkling version

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

Sparkling Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and lighter.

Lambrusco

Lambrusco scores closest to Touriga Nacional across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Lambrusco Grasparossa

Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Touriga Nacional across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.

Douro red

Both are made from touriga nacional, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stiller.

Similar but drier

Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.

Alicante Bouschet

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.

Argentine Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

Douro red

Both are made from touriga nacional, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.

Petit Verdot

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but sweeter

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

Port

Both are made from touriga nacional, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and stronger and warmer.

Vintage Port

Both are made from touriga nacional, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and stronger and warmer.

Late Bottled Vintage Port

Both are made from touriga nacional, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and stronger and warmer.

Vin Doux Naturel

Vin Doux Naturel scores closest to Touriga Nacional across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and stronger and warmer.

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.

Corvinone

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.

Nero di Troia

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Trincadeira

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Cornalin

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.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.

Barossa Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.

Bolgheri

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.

Super Tuscan

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.

Similar but more aromatic

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

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Barolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Barbaresco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Condrieu

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more aromatic.

Similar but more restrained

For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.

Douro red

Both are made from touriga nacional, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.

Petit Verdot

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.

Argentine Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.

Similar but more floral

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

Douro red

Both are made from touriga nacional, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.

Uco Valley Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.

Petit Verdot

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.

Argentine Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

Similar but less floral

Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.

Alicante Bouschet

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less floral.

Barossa Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.

Bolgheri

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.

Similar but more savoury

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

Douro red

Both are made from touriga nacional, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.

Madiran

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less floral.

Priorat

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.

Similar but fruitier

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

Primitivo

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less floral.

Primitivo di Manduria

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less floral.

Petite Sirah

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.

Argentine Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

Change the place

Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.

Same grape, cooler climate

Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.

Douro red

Both are made from touriga nacional, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.

Dão

Both are made from touriga nacional, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.

Alentejo red

Both are made from touriga nacional, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.

Same grape, warmer climate

Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.

Douro red

Both are made from touriga nacional, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.

Alentejo red

Both are made from touriga nacional, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.

Dão

Both are made from touriga nacional, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.

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.

Malbec

curated

Both are dark, floral, full-bodied reds.

Expect: Softer tannin and a plusher, less firm structure.

Argentine Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.

Super Tuscan

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less floral.

Something more adventurous

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

Douro red

Both are made from touriga nacional, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.

Petit Verdot

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

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

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.

Alicante Bouschet

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.

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.

Douro red

Both are made from touriga nacional, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and earthier.

Petit Verdot

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

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

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.

Alicante Bouschet

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.

A step up

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

Ribera del Duero

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

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and less floral.

Priorat

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be drier, and stronger and warmer.

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.