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 sweet, too light or thin and too tropical or sweet-smelling.
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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
- Substantially less sweet.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Douro white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less sweet.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Encruzado
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less sweet.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less sweet.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less sweet.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Assyrtiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less sweet.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Grenache Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less sweet.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- About as tropical or sweet-smelling as the wine you started from.
Marsanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less sweet.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- About as tropical or sweet-smelling 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.
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 fresher and more acidic, and drier.
Douro white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Encruzado
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Douro white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Encruzado
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, 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.
Jacquère
Jacquère 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.
Hondarrabi Zuri
Hondarrabi Zuri scores closest to Aidani across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Trebbiano Romagnolo
Trebbiano Romagnolo 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.
Koshu
Koshu scores closest to Aidani across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Melon de Bourgogne
Melon de Bourgogne scores closest to Aidani across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Muscadet
Muscadet 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.
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 fresher and more acidic, and drier.
Douro white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Encruzado
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
Douro white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Encruzado
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Kisi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Rkatsiteli
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
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.
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 fresher and more acidic, and drier.
Douro white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
Encruzado
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fresher and more acidic.
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 softer and rounder.
Marsanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and softer and rounder.
Palomino Fino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Aidani across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Cava
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
Corpinnat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.
Crémant
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
English sparkling wine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
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 fresher and more acidic.
Douro white
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Encruzado
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
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 fruitier.
Vin Santo
Vin Santo scores closest to Aidani across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.
Recioto della Valpolicella
Recioto della Valpolicella scores closest to Aidani across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.
Pedro Ximénez
Pedro Ximénez scores closest to Aidani across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be sweeter, and fruitier.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
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 fresher and more acidic, and drier.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Torrontés
Torrontés scores closest to Aidani across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Aidani across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Viognier
Viognier scores closest to Aidani across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Gewürztraminer
Gewürztraminer scores closest to Aidani across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
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 fresher and more acidic, and drier.
Douro white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Encruzado
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Torrontés
Torrontés scores closest to Aidani across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Aidani across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Viognier
Viognier scores closest to Aidani across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Gewürztraminer
Gewürztraminer scores closest to Aidani across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
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 fresher and more acidic, and drier.
Douro white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Encruzado
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Palomino Fino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and lighter.
Savennières
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
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 fresher and more acidic, and drier.
White Burgundy
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Antão Vaz
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Pošip
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Malagousia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
Wachau Grüner Veltliner scores closest to Aidani across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and drier.
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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more oaky.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Douro white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Encruzado
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Assyrtiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
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.
Douro white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Encruzado
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Assyrtiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and drier.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
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 fresher and more acidic, and drier.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be drier, and fruitier.
California Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more 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.