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 moving away from too plain or too simple, too austere and too jammy or sweet-tasting.
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.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less austere.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less austere.
- About as jammy or sweet-tasting as the wine you started from.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less austere.
- More jammy or sweet-tasting, not less.
Corvina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less austere.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less austere.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Red Bordeaux
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less austere.
- A little less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Sangiovese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more floral.
Corvina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more floral.
Corvina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
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.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
País
País scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Cabernet Franc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
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.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Red Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
English still Pinot Noir
English still Pinot Noir scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more floral.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Amarone della Valpolicella
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Barbera d’Asti
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Barbera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Muscat Bailey A
Muscat Bailey A scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
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 fruitier, and more savoury.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more floral.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Sangiovese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Baga
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Bairrada Baga
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Chianti Classico
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
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 drier, and fruitier.
Tempranillo
Tempranillo scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Merlot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
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 fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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 fruitier, and more savoury.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more floral.
Sparkling Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more floral.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
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 drier, and more savoury.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less spicy.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Corvina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Nebbiolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more floral.
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 fruitier.
Red Bordeaux
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Sangiovese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Baga
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Zinfandel
Zinfandel scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Primitivo
Primitivo scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Primitivo di Manduria
Primitivo di Manduria scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
California Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
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.
Red Bordeaux
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Sangiovese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Chianti Classico
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Pinot Noir
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more floral.
Corvina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
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.
Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more savoury.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more floral.
Corvina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Amarone della Valpolicella
Amarone della Valpolicella scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Priorat
Priorat scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Super Tuscan
Super Tuscan scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Ribera del Duero
Ribera del Duero scores closest to Trincadeira across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.