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 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 peppery.
Merlot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less peppery.
Prokupac
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less peppery.
Australian Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less peppery.
Zweigelt
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less peppery.
Rioja Crianza
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less peppery.
Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less peppery.
Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- 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 more oaky, and riper and less green.
Merlot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
Australian Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, 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.
Merlot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
Australian Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more oaky.
Zweigelt
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and earthier.
Red Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and earthier.
Rondo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and sweeter.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and earthier.
Red Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and earthier.
Fer Servadou
Fer Servadou scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Super Tuscan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
Bolgheri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.
Uruguayan Tannat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and riper and less green.
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 more oaky.
Tinta Negra
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and sweeter.
Pinot Meunier
Pinot Meunier scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and fresher.
Tibouren
Tibouren scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and lighter.
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 more oaky, and more tannic and structured.
Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more aromatic.
Cornalin
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and riper and less green.
Fetească Neagră
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and riper and less green.
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.
Sangiovese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
Saperavi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and riper and less green.
Aglianico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
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 more oaky, and riper and less green.
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 more oaky, and riper and less green.
Carmenère
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
Chilean Carmenère
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
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 sweeter, and more oaky.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and stiller.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and stiller.
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 less tannic and softer.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Ruby Port
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and riper and less green.
Valpolicella Ripasso
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more oaky.
Corvina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and riper and less green.
Sparkling Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and sweeter.
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.
Carmenère
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and softer and rounder.
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 more oaky, and riper and less green.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more tannic and structured.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and earthier.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more aromatic.
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 more aromatic, and more oaky.
Merlot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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 more aromatic, and riper and less green.
Zweigelt
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
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 more oaky, and riper and less green.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and earthier.
Australian Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more oaky.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Red Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
Sangiovese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more savoury.
Areni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and riper and less green.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Primitivo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and riper and less green.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
California Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more oaky.
Zinfandel
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more oaky.
Petite Sirah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and more tannic and structured.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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 more oaky, and riper and less green.
Cabernet Sauvignon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more aromatic.
Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more oaky.
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 more oaky, and riper and less green.
Prokupac
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Australian Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more oaky.
Zweigelt
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
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 more oaky, and riper and less green.
Prokupac
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Australian Grenache
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more oaky.
Zweigelt
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Super Tuscan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and more floral.
Ribera del Duero
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fuller and richer.
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.