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, while moving away from too green or grassy, too peppery and too soft or too easy.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less peppery.
- A little less soft or too easy.
Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the rich, ripe dark fruit, though less of it.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less soft or too easy.
Madiran
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the rich, ripe dark fruit, though less of it.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less soft or too easy.
Graciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less peppery.
- A little less soft or too easy.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less peppery.
- A little less soft or too easy.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the rich, ripe dark fruit, though less of it.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less soft or too easy.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the rich, ripe dark fruit, though less of it.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less soft or too easy.
Aglianico
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less soft or too easy.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and riper and less green.
Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.
Madiran
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.
Graciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Petit Verdot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and riper and less green.
Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.
Madiran
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.
Graciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.
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.
Dolcetto
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.
Colorino
Colorino scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.
Mondeuse Noire
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and riper and less green.
Trousseau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, 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.
Mondeuse Noire
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and riper and less green.
Trousseau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and riper and less green.
Dornfelder
Dornfelder scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria
Cerasuolo di Vittoria scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Petit Verdot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and riper and less green.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.
Alicante Bouschet
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less spicy.
Priorat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more savoury.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Pinot Meunier
Pinot Meunier scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Cinsault
Cinsault scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Gamay
Gamay scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Muscat Bailey A
Muscat Bailey A scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Petit Verdot
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and riper and less green.
Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.
Madiran
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Graciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.
Aglianico
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and riper and less green.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and riper and less green.
Refosco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Alicante Bouschet
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less spicy.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Alentejo red
Both are made from trincadeira, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Shiraz
Shiraz scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, 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 Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Petit Verdot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and stiller.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.
Touriga Franca
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Tinto Cão
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Petit Verdot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and riper and less green.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.
Alicante Bouschet
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Fetească Neagră
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, 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 savoury, and riper and less green.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and riper and less green.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
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.
Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.
Madiran
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and riper and less green.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and riper and less green.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Aglianico
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more restrained in fruit.
Baga
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less spicy.
Bairrada Baga
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less spicy.
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 fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Primitivo
Primitivo scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
California Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
Primitivo di Manduria
Primitivo di Manduria scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and riper and less green.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Brunello di Montalcino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Priorat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more savoury.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Petit Verdot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and riper and less green.
Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.
Madiran
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.
Graciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and riper and less green.
Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.
Madiran
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.
Graciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and less tannic and softer.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Priorat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more savoury.
Ribera del Duero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Shiraz
Shiraz scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
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.