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, too peppery and too austere.
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.
Touriga Franca
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 peppery.
- Substantially less austere.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less austere.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- Substantially less peppery.
- Substantially less austere.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- About as peppery as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less austere.
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 peppery.
- Substantially less austere.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- A little less tart or sour-fruited.
- About as peppery as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less austere.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.
- About as peppery as the wine you started from.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Substantially less plain or too simple.
- Substantially less tart or sour-fruited.
- About as peppery as the wine you started from.
- About as austere as the wine you started from.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
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 drier.
Grolleau
Grolleau scores closest to Prokupac across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Portugieser
Portugieser scores closest to Prokupac across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less oaky.
Valpolicella
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and drier.
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.
Spätburgunder (German Pinot Noir)
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Muscat Bailey A
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Red Burgundy
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Prokupac across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.
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 drier, and fruitier.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Muscat Bailey A
Both sit in the same style family.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Barbera d’Asti
Barbera d’Asti scores closest to Prokupac across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Chianti Classico
Chianti Classico scores closest to Prokupac across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
Baga
Baga scores closest to Prokupac across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
Bairrada Baga
Bairrada Baga scores closest to Prokupac across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and drier.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Merlot
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Lambrusco Grasparossa
Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Prokupac across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher.
Lambrusco
Lambrusco scores closest to Prokupac across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher.
Touriga Franca
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and less oaky.
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 less oaky, and less spicy.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Sparkling Shiraz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Touriga Nacional
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
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.
Tinta Barroca
Tinta Barroca scores closest to Prokupac across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Tinta Negra
Tinta Negra scores closest to Prokupac across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Tinto Cão
Tinto Cão scores closest to Prokupac across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and fresher.
Corvinone
Corvinone scores closest to Prokupac across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and drier.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Prokupac across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo scores closest to Prokupac across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Barolo
Barolo scores closest to Prokupac across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
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 oaky, and less spicy.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
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.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Prokupac across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Malbec
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
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 less oaky, and fruitier.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Primitivo
Primitivo scores closest to Prokupac across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Touriga Nacional
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less oaky.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon scores closest to Prokupac across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
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.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
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.
Touriga Franca
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and less spicy.
Pinotage
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Montefalco Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less oaky.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Rioja
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Rioja Reserva
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Tempranillo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and spicier.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco scores closest to Prokupac across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less 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.