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 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.
Clairette
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Fiano di Avellino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has noticeably less of the floral, perfumed side.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- Substantially less light or thin.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Garganega
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- A little less light or thin.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Welschriesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- A little less light or thin.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Soave
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- A little less light or thin.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Grüner Veltliner
curatedA comparably light, high-acid, herbal white.
- Has noticeably less of the floral, perfumed side.
- Substantially less perfumed.
- A little less light or thin.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Clairette
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Fiano di Avellino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Clairette
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Fiano di Avellino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter in alcohol.
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 Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Txakoli
Txakoli scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Hondarrabi Zuri
Hondarrabi Zuri scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Kabinett
Kabinett scores closest to Bacchus 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.
Vinho Verde
Vinho Verde scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Spätlese
Spätlese scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fruitier.
Alpine white
Alpine white scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Colombard
Colombard scores closest to Bacchus 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.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Fiano di Avellino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Douro white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
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.
Clairette
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Fiano di Avellino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter in alcohol.
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 less floral, and riper and less green.
Kisi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
Rkatsiteli
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Vouvray
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.
Assyrtiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Santorini Assyrtiko
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Greco di Tufo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Clairette
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and lighter.
Roero Arneis
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
Arneis
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more aromatic.
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 lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Vouvray
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
English sparkling wine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Clairette
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Fiano di Avellino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Welschriesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher and more acidic.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Bual
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
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.
Clairette
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
Welschriesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Arneis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
Greco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter in alcohol.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and less oaky.
California Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Torrontés
Torrontés scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter.
Gewürztraminer
Gewürztraminer scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Scheurebe
Scheurebe scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Bacchus 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.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Fiano di Avellino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Garganega
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Welschriesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Torrontés
Torrontés scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Gewürztraminer
Gewürztraminer scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Viognier
Viognier scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter in alcohol.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
Fiano di Avellino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
Welschriesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
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 less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Grüner Veltliner
curatedA comparably light, high-acid, herbal white.
Expect: More peppery and savoury, and less floral.
Friuli white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more savoury.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more savoury.
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 fruitier, and lighter.
Petit Manseng
Petit Manseng scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Muscat of Alexandria
Muscat of Alexandria scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Gewürztraminer
Gewürztraminer scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
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 lighter, and less floral.
English Bacchus
Both are made from bacchus, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fruitier.
Welsh white wine
Both are made from bacchus, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more aromatic.
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.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter in alcohol.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
Santorini Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Clairette
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Fiano di Avellino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Garganega
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
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.
Clairette
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and softer and rounder.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Fiano di Avellino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and less floral.
Garganega
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter in alcohol.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
Santorini Assyrtiko
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher and more acidic.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
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.