If you like this, try…
Wines like Trincadeira
An Alentejo variety giving spicy, herbal reds, prone to rot in damp conditions. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Trincadeira?
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".
- How smooth and soft it is
- Low tannin. Tannin is the drying, gum-gripping sensation in red wine — like strong tea. A smooth red has little of it.
- 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.
- The herbal, green side
- Grass, blackcurrant leaf, green pepper, mint. It divides people more sharply than almost any other character.
- 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 austere, too peppery and too jammy or sweet-tasting.
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.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less peppery.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less peppery.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less peppery.
- About as jammy or sweet-tasting as the wine you started from.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less peppery.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less peppery.
- About as jammy or sweet-tasting as the wine you started from.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less peppery.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less peppery.
- More jammy or sweet-tasting, not less.
Corvina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less peppery.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, 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.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
Grolleau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Portugieser
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Rondinella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, 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.
Grolleau
Grolleau scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Portugieser
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Rondinella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more floral.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Super Tuscan
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Petit Verdot
Petit Verdot scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Grolleau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Portugieser
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Tibouren
Tibouren scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more floral.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Saperavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Sangiovese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Areni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Aglianico
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Alentejo red
Both are made from trincadeira, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
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 fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Vouvray
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and stiller.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Tinto Cão
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
Tinta Negra
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Tinta Barroca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more floral.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Barolo
Barolo scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
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.
Trebbiano Toscano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more restrained in fruit.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
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 more savoury.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more floral.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less spicy.
Red Bordeaux
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Sangiovese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Primitivo
Primitivo scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
California Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less spicy.
Zinfandel
Zinfandel scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Primitivo di Manduria
Primitivo di Manduria scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
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.
Red Bordeaux
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Sangiovese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, 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.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fruitier.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Super Tuscan
Super Tuscan scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Ribera del Duero
Ribera del Duero scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Priorat
Priorat scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Amarone della Valpolicella scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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.