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.
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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 green or grassy and too peppery.
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.
Alentejo red
Both are made from trincadeira, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less peppery.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less peppery.
Prokupac
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less peppery.
Zweigelt
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less peppery.
Rioja Crianza
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less peppery.
Nero d’Avola
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less peppery.
Cornalin
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less peppery.
Trousseau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- 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.
Alentejo red
Both are made from trincadeira, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more oaky.
Prokupac
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Zweigelt
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more oaky.
Prokupac
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Zweigelt
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Rioja Crianza
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
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.
Trousseau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Cinsault
Cinsault scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and riper and less green.
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.
Trousseau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Grolleau
Grolleau scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and riper and less green.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Uruguayan Tannat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Douro red
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Barbera d’Alba
Barbera d’Alba scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and riper and less green.
Tinta Negra
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and riper and less green.
Pinot Meunier
Pinot Meunier scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and riper and less green.
Cinsault
Cinsault scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and riper and less green.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Petit Verdot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Aglianico
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and sweeter.
Brunello di Montalcino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Areni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Saperavi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Aglianico
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more tannic and structured.
Brunello di Montalcino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Agiorgitiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Alentejo red
Both are made from trincadeira, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more oaky.
Nemea Agiorgitiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
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 riper and less green, and sweeter.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and riper and less green.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and riper and less green.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and riper and less green.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Ruby Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and sweeter.
Sparkling Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more sparkling.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and sweeter.
Valpolicella Ripasso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Agiorgitiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Alentejo red
Both are made from trincadeira, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and softer and rounder.
California Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.
Fetească Neagră
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more aromatic.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
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.
Alentejo red
Both are made from trincadeira, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more aromatic.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more aromatic.
Prokupac
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more aromatic.
Zweigelt
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more aromatic.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Malbec
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more tannic and structured.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Areni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
California Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and riper and less green.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
Petite Sirah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and spicier.
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.
Merlot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more oaky.
Rioja Crianza
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
California Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Alentejo red
Both are made from trincadeira, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Prokupac
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Zweigelt
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Nero d’Avola
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
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.
Alentejo red
Both are made from trincadeira, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Prokupac
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Zweigelt
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Nero d’Avola
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Ribera del Duero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
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.