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 peppery, spicy character, while moving away from too green or grassy.
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.
Nero di Troia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Mondeuse Noire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Fetească Neagră
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Mavrud
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Bekaa Valley Red
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Blaufränkisch
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Petite Sirah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the peppery, spicy character.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Nero di Troia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Mondeuse Noire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Fetească Neagră
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Nero di Troia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Mondeuse Noire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Fetească Neagră
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
Mondeuse Noire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher.
Trousseau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Blaufränkisch
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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 less spicy.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher.
Trousseau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Red Burgundy
Red Burgundy scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Petite Sirah
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more tannic and structured.
Plavac Mali
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
Tawny 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.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less tannic and softer.
Tinta Negra
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and riper and less green.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Mavrud
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Nero di Troia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Petite Sirah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Mondeuse Noire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Blaufränkisch
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Mondeuse Noire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher.
Areni
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Saperavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Dalmatian Plavac Mali
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Plavac Mali
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
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.
Nero di Troia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and riper and less green.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Tawny 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.
Vintage 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.
Zinfandel
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
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 riper and less green, and less spicy.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Bekaa Valley Red
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.
Dalmatian Plavac Mali
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Barolo
Barolo scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, 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.
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.
Nero di Troia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more aromatic.
Mondeuse Noire
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more aromatic.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more aromatic.
Fetească Neagră
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Washington Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Rioja Gran Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Fetească Neagră
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Mavrud
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Bekaa Valley Red
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.
Zinfandel
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Petite Sirah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more tannic and structured.
Primitivo di Manduria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Primitivo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
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 riper and less green, and more oaky.
Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Rioja Gran Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Nero di Troia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Mondeuse Noire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher.
Fetească Neagră
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Mavrud
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
Nero di Troia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
Mondeuse Noire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher.
Fetească Neagră
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Mavrud
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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 less spicy, and more oaky.
Argentine Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
Ribera del Duero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less spicy.
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.