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 keeping the rich, ripe dark fruit and the peppery, spicy character, while moving away from 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.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
- Substantially less austere.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
- Substantially less austere.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
- Substantially less austere.
Tinta Barroca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Has noticeably less of the peppery, spicy character.
- Substantially less austere.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
- Substantially less austere.
Corvina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
- Substantially less austere.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Has noticeably less of the peppery, spicy character.
- Substantially less austere.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Has some of the peppery, spicy character, though less of it.
- 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.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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 savoury.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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 riper and less green.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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 savoury.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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 riper and less green.
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.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more sparkling.
Mondeuse Noire
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Rondo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Dornfelder
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.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more sparkling.
Mondeuse Noire
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Rondo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Dornfelder
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 savoury.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
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 more savoury.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Muscat Bailey A
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Gewürztraminer
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
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 savoury.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
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 more oaky.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Mondeuse Noire
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and riper and less green.
Saperavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Blaufränkisch
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Areni
Areni scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
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 drier, and fruitier.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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 riper and less green.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less spicy.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and stiller.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Tawny Port
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and more savoury.
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 fruitier, and less spicy.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
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 riper and less green.
Vintage Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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 savoury.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
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 more floral.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Syrah
Syrah scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Malbec
Malbec scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Muscat Bailey A
Muscat Bailey A scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
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.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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 more aromatic.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
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 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 more oaky.
Malbec
Malbec scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Australian Grenache
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and drier.
Saperavi
Saperavi scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and drier.
Southern Rhône blend
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and drier.
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 fruitier, and drier.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Petite Sirah
Petite Sirah scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
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.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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 drier, and more savoury.
Southern Rhône blend
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.
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 savoury.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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 riper and less green.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
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.
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 savoury.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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 riper and less green.
Valpolicella Ripasso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Amarone della Valpolicella scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and drier.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Super Tuscan
Super Tuscan scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Châteauneuf-du-Pape scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
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.