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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 floral, perfumed side, the rich, ripe dark fruit and the firm tannic structure.

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.

Petit Verdot

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

Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
Has some of the rich, ripe dark fruit, though less of it.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.

Uco Valley Malbec

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

Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
Has some of the rich, ripe dark fruit, though less of it.
Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.

Douro red

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

Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
Has some of the rich, ripe dark fruit, though less of it.
Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.

Argentine Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
Has some of the rich, ripe dark fruit, though less of it.
Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.

Malbec

curated

Both are dark, floral, full-bodied reds.

Has noticeably less of the floral, perfumed side.
Has some of the rich, ripe dark fruit, though less of it.
Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.

Touriga Franca

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

Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
Has some of the rich, ripe dark fruit, though less of it.
Has some of the firm tannic structure, though less of it.

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
Has noticeably less of the rich, ripe dark fruit.
Keeps the firm tannic structure.

Argentine Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
Has noticeably less of the firm tannic structure.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

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

Petit Verdot

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

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

Uco Valley Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

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 less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Argentine Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

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 more restrained in fruit, and less floral.

Uco Valley Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Argentine Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Touriga Franca

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

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.

Uco Valley Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Argentine Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Touriga Franca

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Cru Beaujolais

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

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.

Cru Beaujolais

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Frappato

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Loire Cabernet Franc

Loire Cabernet Franc scores closest to Touriga Nacional across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

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.

Petit Verdot

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

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

Argentine Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Toro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but less tannic

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

Uco Valley Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

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 less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Argentine Malbec

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

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

Argentine Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Similar but fresher

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

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barbaresco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Graciano

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Langhe Nebbiolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Similar but softer

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

Argentine Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Toro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Malbec

curated

Both are dark, floral, full-bodied reds.

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

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

The sparkling version

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

Sparkling Shiraz

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

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

Lambrusco

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

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

Petit Verdot

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Uco Valley Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but drier

Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.

Petit Verdot

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

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

Uco Valley Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

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 less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Argentine Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Similar but sweeter

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

Vintage Port

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 less floral, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Port

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 less floral, and less tannic and softer.

Late Bottled Vintage Port

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

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

Ruby Port

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

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

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.

Graciano

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Négrette

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Langhe Nebbiolo

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Dão

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less tannic and softer.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Touriga Nacional across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Barossa Shiraz

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

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

Bolgheri

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

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

Shiraz

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

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

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 more restrained in fruit, and less floral.

Barbaresco

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

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

Barolo

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

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

Uco Valley Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Similar but more restrained

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

Petit Verdot

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

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

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 less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Uco Valley Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Argentine Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Similar but more floral

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

Uco Valley Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Petit Verdot

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Négrette

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Nebbiolo

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

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

Similar but less floral

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

Petit Verdot

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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 less floral, and less tannic and softer.

Argentine Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, 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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

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

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barbaresco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Langhe Nebbiolo

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

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

Similar but fruitier

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

Petite Sirah

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more fruit-driven.

Argentine Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Toro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Petit Verdot

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Dão

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

Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less tannic and softer.

Same grape, warmer climate

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

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 more restrained in fruit, and less tannic and softer.

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.

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Argentine Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barbaresco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Something more adventurous

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

Petit Verdot

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

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

Uco Valley Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

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 less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Argentine Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Petit Verdot

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

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

Uco Valley Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

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 less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

Argentine Cabernet Franc

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and more restrained in fruit.

A step up

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

Argentine Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Barbaresco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Priorat

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

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

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.