If you like this, try…

Wines like Trousseau

The more structured of the Jura’s two red varieties, also grown in Portugal as Bastardo. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

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Refine

What do you like about Trousseau?

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.

I like…

That it is not oaky

But it’s a bit…

too tart or sour-fruited too alcoholic or warming too light or thin too soft or too easy too plain or too simple too peppery

Clear all

What these words mean

The bright red fruit: Raspberry, redcurrant, sour cherry — lighter and sharper than dark fruit, usually from a cooler place or an earlier picking.
That it is not too strong: Alcohol you notice as warmth at the back of the throat. Some people find it a pleasant part of a big red and some find it tiring.
How light it is: A wine you can drink without it feeling like a commitment. Usually lower in alcohol as well as lighter in the mouth.
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.

Looking for something moving away from too light or thin and too plain or too simple.

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.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

Petit Verdot

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

Uruguayan Tannat

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

Tannat

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

Madiran

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

Argentine Malbec

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

Alicante Bouschet

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

Douro red

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fruitier.

Petit Verdot

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more floral.

Uruguayan Tannat

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Tannat

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less spicy.

Different grape, similar feel

Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fruitier.

Petit Verdot

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more floral.

Uruguayan Tannat

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Tannat

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less spicy.

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.

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.

Petit Verdot

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more floral.

Tannat

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less spicy.

Madiran

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less spicy.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fruitier.

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.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fruitier.

Barbera d’Asti

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.

Chianti Classico

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more herbal and green.

Baga

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more tannic and structured.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Alicante Bouschet

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more tannic and structured.

Amarone della Valpolicella

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and sweeter.

Argentine Malbec

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Barossa Shiraz

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and stronger and warmer.

Similar but less tannic

For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.

Barbera d’Alba

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.

Barbera d’Asti

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.

Barbera

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.

White Burgundy

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Aglianico

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more tannic and structured.

Alicante Bouschet

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more fruit-driven.

Amarone della Valpolicella

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Brunello di Montalcino

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more tannic and structured.

Similar but fresher

Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.

Barbera d’Asti

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less spicy.

Chianti Classico

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more herbal and green.

Baga

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more tannic and structured.

Bairrada Baga

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more tannic and structured.

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 lighter, and broader and softer.

Alentejo red

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and broader and softer.

Alicante Bouschet

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more tannic and structured.

Argentine Malbec

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, 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

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and sweeter.

Lambrusco

Lambrusco scores closest to Trousseau across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Trousseau across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and more tannic and structured.

Similar but sweeter

Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.

Amarone della Valpolicella

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Late Bottled Vintage Port

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and stronger and warmer.

Montefalco Sagrantino

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more tannic and structured.

Port

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and stronger and warmer.

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 lighter, and broader and softer.

Alentejo red

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.

Alicante Bouschet

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and more tannic and structured.

Amarone della Valpolicella

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and sweeter.

Similar but more aromatic

More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.

Syrah

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and earthier.

Malbec

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more tannic and structured.

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more aromatic.

Barolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more tannic and structured.

Tannat

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more tannic and structured.

Uruguayan Tannat

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more tannic and structured.

Madiran

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more tannic and structured.

Similar but more floral

Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.

Argentine Malbec

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and more floral.

Douro red

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more floral.

Malbec

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more tannic and structured.

Petit Verdot

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more floral.

Similar but more savoury

Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.

Douro red

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and earthier.

Madiran

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less spicy.

Montefalco Sagrantino

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more tannic and structured.

Priorat

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more tannic and structured.

Similar but fruitier

More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.

Petite Sirah

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more tannic and structured.

Primitivo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and broader and softer.

Primitivo di Manduria

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and broader and softer.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and rounder and creamier in texture.

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.

Argentine Malbec

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Primitivo

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and broader and softer.

Amarone della Valpolicella

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Priorat

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more tannic and structured.

Something more adventurous

Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fruitier.

Petit Verdot

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more floral.

Uruguayan Tannat

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Tannat

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less spicy.

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.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fruitier.

Petit Verdot

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more floral.

Uruguayan Tannat

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Tannat

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and less spicy.

A step up

The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.

Amarone della Valpolicella

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Brunello di Montalcino

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more tannic and structured.

Northern Rhône Syrah

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and earthier.

Priorat

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be stronger and warmer, and more tannic and structured.

How these are chosen

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.