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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.
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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 and the citrus and green-apple character, while moving away from too perfumed.
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.
English Bacchus
Both are made from bacchus, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Keeps the citrus and green-apple character.
- About as perfumed as the wine you started from.
Montlouis-sur-Loire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Keeps the citrus and green-apple character.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Vinho Verde
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Keeps the citrus and green-apple character.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Glera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Has some of the citrus and green-apple character, though less of it.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Keeps the citrus and green-apple character.
- Substantially less perfumed.
Kabinett
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Keeps the citrus and green-apple character.
- About as perfumed as the wine you started from.
Alsace Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Keeps the citrus and green-apple character.
- About as perfumed as the wine you started from.
Mosel Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Keeps the citrus and green-apple character.
- About as perfumed 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.
English Bacchus
Both are made from bacchus, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic.
Montlouis-sur-Loire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
Vinho Verde
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Glera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more restrained in fruit.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
Vinho Verde
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Glera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more restrained in fruit.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
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.
Kabinett
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
Mosel Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
Txakoli
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Hondarrabi Zuri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
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.
Kabinett
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
Mosel Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
Vinho Verde
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Loureiro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Montlouis-sur-Loire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Alsace Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, 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.
Montlouis-sur-Loire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
English Bacchus
Both are made from bacchus, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Alsace Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more aromatic.
Trebbiano Spoletino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Rkatsiteli
Rkatsiteli scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Ribolla Gialla
Ribolla Gialla scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
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 less floral, and riper and less green.
Vinho Verde
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Kabinett
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Clairette
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more restrained in fruit.
Glera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more restrained in fruit.
Roero Arneis
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Arneis
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Glera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more restrained in fruit.
Prosecco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Fiano di Avellino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Loureiro
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more floral.
Parellada
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more restrained in fruit.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Mosel Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
Spätlese
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Welschriesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Glera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more restrained in fruit.
Kabinett
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
Alsace Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Furmint
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Dry Furmint
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fuller and richer.
Chenin Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Chardonnay
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
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 broader and softer.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and broader and softer.
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 less floral, and riper and less green.
Vinho Verde
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Fiano
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Loureiro
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and more aromatic.
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 less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Montlouis-sur-Loire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
Vinho Verde
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Fiano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and broader and softer.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less floral.
Garganega
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Alsace Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
Soave
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and less floral.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Spätlese
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Petit Manseng
Petit Manseng scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fruitier.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
English Bacchus
Both are made from bacchus, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and softer and rounder.
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 less floral.
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.
English Bacchus
Both are made from bacchus, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and lighter.
Welsh white wine
Both are made from bacchus, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and more restrained in fruit.
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 less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
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.
English Bacchus
Both are made from bacchus, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic.
Vinho Verde
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Glera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more restrained in fruit.
Mosel Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Montlouis-sur-Loire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Kabinett
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
Alsace Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
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.
Montlouis-sur-Loire
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
Vouvray
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more restrained in fruit.
Kabinett
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
Alsace Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Australian Riesling
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less floral.
Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less floral.
Rías Baixas Albariño
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less floral.
Sancerre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and less floral.
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.