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 how light and easy it feels and the tropical, exotic fruit, while moving away from too sharp or lemony and too tropical or sweet-smelling.
- You said you like the tropical, exotic fruit and that it is too sharp or lemony. Both are about fruit intensity, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
- You said you like the tropical, exotic fruit and that it is too tropical or sweet-smelling. Both are about fruit intensity, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
- You said you like the tropical, exotic fruit and that it is too tropical or sweet-smelling. Both are about aromatic intensity, so they pull the same axis in opposite directions — the dislike is applied and the like is set aside.
- You said you like the tropical, exotic fruit and that it is too tropical or sweet-smelling. Both are about acidity, 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 some of how light and easy it feels, though less of it.
- Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Roditis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how light and easy it feels.
- Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Parellada
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how light and easy it feels.
- Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Pinot Grigio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how light and easy it feels.
- Has noticeably less of the tropical, exotic fruit.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
- Substantially less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Glera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how light and easy it feels.
- Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
- A little less tropical or sweet-smelling.
English still white
Both are made from bacchus, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
- Keeps how light and easy it feels.
- Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
- About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
- Substantially less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Trebbiano Romagnolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how light and easy it feels.
- Has noticeably less of the tropical, exotic fruit.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
- Substantially less tropical or sweet-smelling.
Welsh white wine
Both are made from bacchus, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps how light and easy it feels.
- Has some of the tropical, exotic fruit, though less of it.
- About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
- 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.
Grüner Veltliner
curatedA comparably light, high-acid, herbal white.
Expect: More peppery and savoury, and less floral.
Roditis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Parellada
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Pinot Grigio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Roditis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Parellada
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Pinot Grigio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Glera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more sparkling.
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
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Hondarrabi Zuri
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
Jacquère
Jacquère scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and fresher.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher.
Alpine white
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher.
Colombard
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher.
Hunter Valley Semillon
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and fresher.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Grüner Veltliner
curatedA comparably light, high-acid, herbal white.
Expect: More peppery and savoury, and less floral.
Garganega
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and riper and less green.
Vermentino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less floral.
Slavonian Graševina
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, 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.
Roditis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Parellada
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
English still white
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 fresher, and fresher and more acidic.
Grüner Veltliner
curatedA comparably light, high-acid, herbal white.
Expect: More peppery and savoury, and less floral.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Rkatsiteli
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fresher and more acidic.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and riper and less green.
Tsolikouri
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and riper and less green.
Koshu
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
English still white
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 fresher, and fresher and more acidic.
Picpoul de Pinet
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fresher and more acidic.
Aligoté
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fresher and more acidic.
Picpoul
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Müller-Thurgau
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and broader and softer.
Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fuller and richer.
Roero Arneis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and fuller and richer.
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 softer and rounder, and riper and less green.
English Blanc de Blancs
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fresher and more acidic.
English sparkling wine
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fresher.
Franciacorta
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fruitier.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Roditis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Parellada
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Pinot Grigio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Grüner Veltliner
curatedA comparably light, high-acid, herbal white.
Expect: More peppery and savoury, and less floral.
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 fuller and richer, and riper and less green.
Albana
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and riper and less green.
Aidani
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be broader and softer, and more aromatic.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fresher and more acidic.
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.
Roditis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Parellada
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Pinot Grigio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Glera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more sparkling.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fresher and more acidic.
White Bordeaux
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more aromatic.
Sémillon
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and broader and softer.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and less oaky.
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 fuller and richer.
Mantinia Moschofilero
Mantinia Moschofilero scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Moschofilero
Moschofilero scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, 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.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Roditis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Pinot Grigio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Parellada
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
English still white
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 fresher, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Torrontés
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fuller and richer.
Mantinia Moschofilero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Moschofilero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
Roditis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
Pinot Grigio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
English still white
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 fresher, and fresher and more acidic.
Grüner Veltliner
curatedA comparably light, high-acid, herbal white.
Expect: More peppery and savoury, and less floral.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more neutral and subtle.
English still white
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 fresher, and fresher and more acidic.
Silvaner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Spätlese
Spätlese scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more aromatic.
Petit Manseng
Petit Manseng scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fuller and richer.
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 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 fresher.
Welsh white wine
Both are made from bacchus, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more aromatic.
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 fruitier, and fresher.
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 fruitier, and fresher.
Welsh white wine
Both are made from bacchus, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more aromatic.
English still white
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 fresher, and fresher and more acidic.
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.
Pinot Grigio
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Glera
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be softer and rounder, and more sparkling.
Grüner Veltliner
curatedA comparably light, high-acid, herbal white.
Expect: More peppery and savoury, and less floral.
Chenin Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fresher and more acidic.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Roditis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Parellada
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
English still white
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 fresher, and fresher and more acidic.
Trebbiano Romagnolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and lighter in alcohol.
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.
Roditis
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Parellada
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
English still white
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 fresher, and fresher and more acidic.
Trebbiano Romagnolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and lighter in alcohol.
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
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fresher and more acidic.
Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and riper and less green.
Chablis
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fuller and richer, and fresher.
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.