If you like this, try…
Wines like Aidani
An aromatic Aegean variety used in Santorini blends and in Vinsanto. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
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What do you like about Aidani?
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 tropical fruit
- Passionfruit, mango, pineapple, guava. It comes from riper fruit and warmer sites, and it is the difference between Marlborough and Sancerre in the same grape.
- 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.
- That it is not oaky
- No barrel character — just the fruit and the acidity. Chablis and Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc are the reference points.
- The floral character
- Rose, violet, elderflower, orange blossom.
- How aromatic it is
- Some grapes announce themselves from across the room — Gewürztraminer, Muscat, Sauvignon Blanc. Others are far quieter, and quiet is not the same as dull.
- The touch of sweetness
- Actual sugar left in the wine, which is a different thing from tasting fruity. A wine can smell of ripe peach and be completely dry.
Looking for something moving away from too perfumed, too sweet 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.
Santorini Assyrtiko
Both are made from aidani, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less sweet.
- Substantially less light or thin.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less sweet.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Vidiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less sweet.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less sweet.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less sweet.
- Substantially less light or thin.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less sweet.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less sweet.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less sweet.
- 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.
Santorini Assyrtiko
Both are made from aidani, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less floral.
Vidiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less floral.
Vidiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
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.
Jacquère
Jacquère scores closest to Aidani across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Hondarrabi Zuri
Hondarrabi Zuri scores closest to Aidani across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Txakoli
Txakoli scores closest to Aidani across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Kabinett
Kabinett scores closest to Aidani across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
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.
Trebbiano Romagnolo
Trebbiano Romagnolo scores closest to Aidani across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Vinho Verde
Vinho Verde scores closest to Aidani across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Parellada
Parellada scores closest to Aidani across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Koshu
Koshu scores closest to Aidani across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less floral.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
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.
Santorini Assyrtiko
Both are made from aidani, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less floral.
Vidiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Kisi
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Rkatsiteli
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Malvazija Istarska
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Chilean Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Douro white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Grenache Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Marsanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Palomino Fino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fuller and richer.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Franciacorta
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Méthode Cap Classique
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
California traditional-method sparkling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Corpinnat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Santorini Assyrtiko
Both are made from aidani, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less floral.
Vidiano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Bual
Bual scores closest to Aidani across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and stronger and warmer.
Recioto della Valpolicella
Recioto della Valpolicella scores closest to Aidani across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fuller and richer.
Vin Santo
Vin Santo scores closest to Aidani across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fuller and richer.
Pedro Ximénez
Pedro Ximénez scores closest to Aidani across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fuller and richer.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less floral.
Chilean Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Aidani across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fuller and richer.
Viognier
Viognier scores closest to Aidani across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fuller and richer.
Torrontés
Torrontés scores closest to Aidani across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter.
Gewürztraminer
Gewürztraminer scores closest to Aidani across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and sweeter.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Condrieu
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fuller and richer.
Viognier
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fuller and richer.
Torrontés
Torrontés scores closest to Aidani across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter.
Gewürztraminer
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and sweeter.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less floral.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Savennières
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Santorini Assyrtiko
Both are made from aidani, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Palomino Fino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Malagousia
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more aromatic.
Avesso
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
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.
Santorini Assyrtiko
Both are made from aidani, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more savoury.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less floral.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Vidiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
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.
Vidiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Antão Vaz
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Pošip
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and less floral.
Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Australian Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and more oaky.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and less floral.
Santorini Assyrtiko
Both are made from aidani, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
South African Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
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.