If you like this, try…
Wines like Bacchus
England’s most distinctive still white variety: aromatic, hedgerow-scented and often compared to Sauvignon Blanc. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
Refine
What do you like about Bacchus?
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 citrus and orchard fruit
- Lemon, lime, green apple, pear. The signature of a cool-climate white — quieter and less perfumed than tropical fruit, and a different thing from the acidity it usually travels with.
- 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.
- The floral character
- Rose, violet, elderflower, orange blossom.
- The herbal, green side
- Grass, blackcurrant leaf, green pepper, mint. It divides people more sharply than almost any other character.
- 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.
Looking for something keeping the floral, perfumed side, while moving away from too perfumed, too green or grassy and too floral or soapy.
- You said you like the floral, perfumed side and that it is too floral or soapy. Both are about floral character, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
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.
Grüner Veltliner
curatedA comparably light, high-acid, herbal white.
- Has noticeably less of the floral, perfumed side.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Welsh white wine
Both are made from bacchus, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- About as perfumed as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Montlouis-sur-Loire
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Garganega
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Vinho Verde
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Soave
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Parellada
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Welschriesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less green or grassy.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Grüner Veltliner
curatedA comparably light, high-acid, herbal white.
Expect: More peppery and savoury, and less floral.
Welsh white wine
Both are made from bacchus, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more restrained in fruit.
Montlouis-sur-Loire
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Garganega
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Montlouis-sur-Loire
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Garganega
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Vinho Verde
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more sparkling.
Soave
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
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.
Txakoli
Txakoli scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Hondarrabi Zuri
Hondarrabi Zuri scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Jacquère
Jacquère scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Kabinett
Kabinett scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more aromatic.
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.
Vinho Verde
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more sparkling.
Hunter Valley Semillon
Hunter Valley Semillon scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more aromatic.
Alpine white
Alpine white scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Fiano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Fiano di Avellino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Montlouis-sur-Loire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher and more acidic.
Garganega
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more savoury.
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.
Montlouis-sur-Loire
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Garganega
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Soave
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Parellada
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Rkatsiteli
Rkatsiteli scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Kisi
Kisi scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Albana
Albana scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Brda Rebula
Brda Rebula scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Montlouis-sur-Loire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Vinho Verde
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more sparkling.
Vouvray
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more sparkling.
English still white
Both are made from bacchus, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Müller-Thurgau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Roero Arneis
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Macabeo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Arneis
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Glera
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Vouvray
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and stiller.
English Blanc de Blancs
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
English sparkling wine
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Soave
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Parellada
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
Roero Arneis
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Macabeo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Welschriesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less oaky.
Vouvray
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more sparkling.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more aromatic.
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.
Vinho Verde
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more sparkling.
Parellada
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Welschriesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and sweeter.
Müller-Thurgau
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
California Chardonnay
California Chardonnay scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Furmint
Furmint scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Scheurebe
Scheurebe scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
Mantinia Moschofilero
Mantinia Moschofilero scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Moschofilero
Moschofilero scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Torrontés
Torrontés scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Montlouis-sur-Loire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Vinho Verde
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more sparkling.
Garganega
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Soave
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Loureiro
Loureiro scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and riper and less green.
Mantinia Moschofilero
Mantinia Moschofilero scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more aromatic.
Moschofilero
Moschofilero scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more aromatic.
Torrontés
Torrontés scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more aromatic.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Welsh white wine
Both are made from bacchus, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more restrained in fruit.
Montlouis-sur-Loire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Garganega
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Vinho Verde
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more sparkling.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Grüner Veltliner
curatedA comparably light, high-acid, herbal white.
Expect: More peppery and savoury, and less floral.
Franken Silvaner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Garganega
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Soave
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Spätlese
Spätlese scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more aromatic.
Petit Manseng
Petit Manseng scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Muscat of Alexandria
Muscat of Alexandria scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more herbal and green.
Change the place
Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.
Same grape, somewhere else
Holds the variety constant and changes the place, which is often a bigger change than swapping the grape.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
English still white
Both are made from bacchus, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Welsh white wine
Both are made from bacchus, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and softer and rounder.
English Bacchus
Both are made from bacchus, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more herbal and green.
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.
Welsh white wine
Both are made from bacchus, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more restrained in fruit.
English Bacchus
Both are made from bacchus, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more herbal and green.
English still white
Both are made from bacchus, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
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.
Vinho Verde
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more sparkling.
Grüner Veltliner
curatedA comparably light, high-acid, herbal white.
Expect: More peppery and savoury, and less floral.
Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Welsh white wine
Both are made from bacchus, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more restrained in fruit.
Montlouis-sur-Loire
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Garganega
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Soave
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, 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.
Welsh white wine
Both are made from bacchus, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more restrained in fruit.
Montlouis-sur-Loire
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Garganega
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fuller and richer.
Soave
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and drier.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Grüner Veltliner
curatedA comparably light, high-acid, herbal white.
Expect: More peppery and savoury, and less floral.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Albariño
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more aromatic.
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.