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 soft or too easy, too austere 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.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- A little less soft or too easy.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less peppery.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the rich, ripe dark fruit, though less of it.
- Substantially less soft or too easy.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less peppery.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- A little less soft or too easy.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less peppery.
Tinto Cão
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Has some of the rich, ripe dark fruit, though less of it.
- A little less soft or too easy.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less peppery.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the rich, ripe dark fruit, though less of it.
- Substantially less soft or too easy.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less peppery.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- About as soft or too easy as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less peppery.
Tinta Barroca
Both come from the same country.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- More soft or too easy, not less.
- Substantially less austere.
- Substantially less peppery.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the rich, ripe dark fruit.
- A little less soft or too easy.
- Substantially less austere.
- 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.
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
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.
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 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.
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
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.
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 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.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
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 less tannic and softer.
Rondo
Rondo scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Dornfelder
Dornfelder scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, 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.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Rondo
Rondo scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Dornfelder
Dornfelder scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Fer Servadou
Fer Servadou scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
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 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.
Petit Verdot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Tinta Negra
Both come from the same country.
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.
Grolleau
Grolleau scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Portugieser
Portugieser 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.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
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 rounder and creamier in texture.
Graciano
Graciano scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Aglianico
Aglianico scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Alicante Bouschet
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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 rounder and creamier in texture.
Malbec
Malbec scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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 less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, 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 rounder and creamier in texture, and stiller.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, 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 rounder and creamier in texture.
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 less tannic and softer.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
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.
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 rounder and creamier in texture.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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.
Barolo
Barolo scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less spicy.
Malbec
Malbec scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more savoury.
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 less tannic and softer.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and drier.
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.
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 rounder and creamier in texture, 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 rounder and creamier in texture.
Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo 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 rounder and creamier in texture.
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.
Montefalco Sagrantino
Montefalco Sagrantino scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and less spicy.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and drier.
Aglianico
Aglianico scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and drier.
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 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.
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, 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.
Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less tannic and softer.
Super Tuscan
Super Tuscan scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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 drier.
Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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 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
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.
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 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.
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
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.
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 less tannic and softer.
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 rounder and creamier in texture.
Priorat
Priorat scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Ribera del Duero
Ribera del Duero scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Shiraz
Shiraz scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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.