If you like this, try…
Wines like Prokupac
Serbia’s own red variety, revived from a blending grape into a serious varietal wine. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Prokupac?
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 bright red fruit
- Raspberry, redcurrant, sour cherry — lighter and sharper than dark fruit, usually from a cooler place or an earlier picking.
- 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.
- 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 tart or sour-fruited and too soft or too easy.
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.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.
- A little less soft or too easy.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.
- A little less soft or too easy.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.
- A little less soft or too easy.
Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less soft or too easy.
Madiran
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less soft or too easy.
Aglianico
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 soft or too easy.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less soft or too easy.
Taurasi
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 soft or too easy.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.
País
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Valpolicella
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
Beaujolais
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
English still Pinot Noir
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.
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.
Red Burgundy
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fresher.
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir scores closest to Prokupac across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fresher.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fresher.
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc scores closest to Prokupac across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and less oaky.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic 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
Barbera d’Alba scores closest to Prokupac across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Tannat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Madiran
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Aglianico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less oaky.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Baga
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less oaky.
Bairrada Baga
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less oaky.
Aglianico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less oaky.
Taurasi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less oaky.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Mourvèdre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less oaky.
Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Shiraz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and fruitier.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Sparkling Shiraz
Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Prokupac across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fruitier.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Montefalco Sagrantino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Pinotage
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but less oaky
One of the commonest requests in wine. Strips oak influence while holding grape character and weight.
Broad-leaved Melnik
Broad-leaved Melnik scores closest to Prokupac across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less tannic and softer.
Nero di Troia
Nero di Troia scores closest to Prokupac across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less tannic and softer.
Colorino
Colorino scores closest to Prokupac across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less tannic and softer.
Bobal
Bobal scores closest to Prokupac across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher.
Barbaresco
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher.
Syrah
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
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.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher.
Barolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher.
Barbaresco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Taurasi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less oaky.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
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 rounder and creamier in texture.
Bolgheri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and rounder and creamier in texture.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
California Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Prokupac across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less tannic and softer.
Shiraz
Shiraz scores closest to Prokupac across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, 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.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Madiran
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Aglianico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less oaky.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, 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.
Tannat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Madiran
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
Aglianico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less oaky.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fruitier.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.
Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher.
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.