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.

← Back to Trousseau

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 plain or too simple, too tart or sour-fruited, too alcoholic or warming and too light or thin.

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.

Petit Verdot

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

Substantially less plain or too simple.
A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less light or thin.

Tannat

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

Substantially less plain or too simple.
A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less light or thin.

Madiran

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

Substantially less plain or too simple.
A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less light or thin.

Uruguayan Tannat

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

Substantially less plain or too simple.
A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less light or thin.

Priorat

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

Substantially less plain or too simple.
A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less light or thin.

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

Substantially less plain or too simple.
A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less light or thin.

Alicante Bouschet

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

Substantially less plain or too simple.
A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less light or thin.

Sagrantino

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

Substantially less plain or too simple.
A little less tart or sour-fruited.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less light or thin.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of 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 fruitier, 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 fruitier, 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 fruitier, and more tannic and structured.

Uruguayan Tannat

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

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

Different grape, similar feel

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

Petit Verdot

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 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 fruitier, 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 fruitier, and more tannic and structured.

Uruguayan Tannat

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

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

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.

País

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

Tannat

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 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 fruitier, 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 fruitier, and more tannic and structured.

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.

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.

Red Bordeaux

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

Tannat

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 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 fruitier, 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 fruitier, 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 fruitier, and less spicy.

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

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

Argentine Malbec

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

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

Dalmatian Plavac Mali

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

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

Similar but less tannic

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

Barbera d’Alba

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.

Barbera d’Asti

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.

Barbera

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

Tinta Negra

Tinta Negra scores closest to Trousseau across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

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

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Madiran

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 tannic and structured.

Montefalco Sagrantino

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

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

Petit Verdot

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 tannic and structured.

Petite Sirah

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

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

Similar but fresher

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

Chianti Classico

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.

Baga

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.

Bairrada Baga

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.

Aglianico

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

Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and lighter.

Similar but softer

Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.

Alicante Bouschet

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

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

McLaren Vale Shiraz

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

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

Mourvèdre

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.

Argentine Malbec

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

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

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 fruitier, and lighter.

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.

Petit Verdot

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

Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and fruitier.

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 stronger and warmer.

Vin Doux Naturel

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

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

Port

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

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

Late Bottled Vintage Port

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

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

Change the flavour

Same shape, different aromatic character.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Alicante Bouschet

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

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

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

Argentine Malbec

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

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

Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.

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 fruitier.

Malbec

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

Barolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

Similar but more restrained

For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.

Tannat

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 aromatic.

Madiran

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 aromatic.

Uruguayan Tannat

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

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

Priorat

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

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

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 lighter, 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 fruitier, and more tannic and structured.

Douro red

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

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and earthier.

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

Similar but more savoury

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

Mourvèdre

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.

Rioja Gran Reserva

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

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

Tannat

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 tannic and structured.

Taurasi

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

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.

Similar but fruitier

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

Petite Sirah

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Primitivo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Primitivo di Manduria

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

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

Zinfandel

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and lighter.

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.

Priorat

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

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

Amarone della Valpolicella

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

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

Argentine Malbec

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

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

Super Tuscan

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.

Something more adventurous

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

Petit Verdot

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 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 fruitier, 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 fruitier, and more tannic and structured.

Uruguayan Tannat

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

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

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.

Petit Verdot

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 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 fruitier, 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 fruitier, and more tannic and structured.

Uruguayan Tannat

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

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

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 fruitier, and stronger and warmer.

Priorat

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

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

Ribera del Duero

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

Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and fruitier.

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 fruitier.

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.