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 and the herbal, green edge, while moving away from too sharp or lemony.
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 herbal, green edge.
- About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
Sauvignon Blanc
curatedThe nearest widely available equivalent in aromatic style.
- Has noticeably less of the floral, perfumed side.
- Keeps the herbal, green edge.
- About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
Sancerre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Keeps the herbal, green edge.
- About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
Welsh white wine
Both are made from bacchus, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
- About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
Pecorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of the floral, perfumed side.
- Keeps the herbal, green edge.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
Scheurebe
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the floral, perfumed side.
- Has noticeably less of the herbal, green edge.
- A little less sharp or lemony.
Pouilly-Fumé
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has noticeably less of the floral, perfumed side.
- Keeps the herbal, green edge.
- About as sharp or lemony as the wine you started from.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Has some of the floral, perfumed side, though less of it.
- Keeps the herbal, green edge.
- About as sharp or lemony 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 fresher, and fruitier.
Sauvignon Blanc
curatedThe nearest widely available equivalent in aromatic style.
Expect: More pungent and tropical, and fuller in body.
Sancerre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more neutral and subtle.
Welsh white wine
Both are made from bacchus, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more neutral and subtle.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Sancerre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more neutral and subtle.
Sauvignon Blanc
curatedThe nearest widely available equivalent in aromatic style.
Expect: More pungent and tropical, and fuller in body.
Pecorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Scheurebe
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, 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.
Mosel Riesling
Mosel Riesling scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher.
Kabinett
Kabinett scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher.
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.
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
Kabinett scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher.
Mosel Riesling
Mosel Riesling scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher.
Mantinia Moschofilero
Mantinia Moschofilero scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher.
Moschofilero
Moschofilero scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Pecorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Scheurebe
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Pouilly-Fumé
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher.
Sancerre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more neutral and subtle.
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.
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 fresher, and fruitier.
Sancerre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more neutral and subtle.
Pecorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Scheurebe
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
Mtsvane Kakhuri scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
Rkatsiteli
Rkatsiteli 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.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Sancerre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more neutral and subtle.
Sauvignon Blanc
curatedThe nearest widely available equivalent in aromatic style.
Expect: More pungent and tropical, and fuller in body.
Pouilly-Fumé
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and less floral.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and fruitier.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Aidani
Aidani scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Ortega
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Malagousia
Malagousia scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Maria Gomes
Maria Gomes scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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 neutral and subtle.
Asti
Asti scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Prosecco
Prosecco scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher.
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher.
Similar but drier
Reduces perceptible sugar while keeping aromatic character.
Sancerre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more neutral and subtle.
Sauvignon Blanc
curatedThe nearest widely available equivalent in aromatic style.
Expect: More pungent and tropical, and fuller in body.
Pecorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Pouilly-Fumé
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Scheurebe
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Aidani
Aidani scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Moscato d’Asti
Moscato d’Asti scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Asti
Asti scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, 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.
Pecorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Scheurebe
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Retsina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more herbal and green.
Aidani
Aidani scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
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.
White Bordeaux
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Chenin Blanc
Chenin Blanc scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more neutral and subtle.
Chardonnay
Chardonnay scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more neutral and subtle.
Friuli white
Friuli white 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.
Torrontés
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Scheurebe
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Mantinia Moschofilero
Mantinia Moschofilero scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fresher.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Grüner Veltliner
curatedA comparably light, high-acid, herbal white.
Expect: More peppery and savoury, and less floral.
Vermentino
Vermentino scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
Parellada
Parellada scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
Welschriesling
Welschriesling scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and riper and less green.
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 riper and less green, and more floral.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Mantinia Moschofilero
Mantinia Moschofilero scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Moschofilero
Moschofilero scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
Sancerre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher.
Welsh white wine
Both are made from bacchus, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher.
Sauvignon Blanc
curatedThe nearest widely available equivalent in aromatic style.
Expect: More pungent and tropical, and fuller in body.
Pouilly-Fumé
Pouilly-Fumé scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Sancerre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more neutral and subtle.
Pouilly-Fumé
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher.
Grüner Veltliner
curatedA comparably light, high-acid, herbal white.
Expect: More peppery and savoury, and less floral.
Retsina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more herbal and green.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
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 riper and less green.
Muscat of Alexandria
Muscat of Alexandria scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less 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.
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 fresher, and fruitier.
Welsh white wine
Both are made from bacchus, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more neutral and subtle.
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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher.
Welsh white wine
Both are made from bacchus, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more neutral and subtle.
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 fresher, and fruitier.
Sauvignon Blanc
curatedThe nearest widely available equivalent in aromatic style.
Expect: More pungent and tropical, and fuller in body.
Sancerre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more neutral and subtle.
Pouilly-Fumé
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher.
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 they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more neutral and subtle.
Pecorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Scheurebe
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Retsina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more herbal and 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.
Welsh white wine
Both are made from bacchus, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more neutral and subtle.
Pecorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more neutral and subtle.
Scheurebe
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.
Retsina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and more herbal and green.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Sancerre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher, and more neutral and subtle.
Pouilly-Fumé
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and fresher.
Grüner Veltliner
curatedA comparably light, high-acid, herbal white.
Expect: More peppery and savoury, and less floral.
Sauvignon Blanc
curatedThe nearest widely available equivalent in aromatic style.
Expect: More pungent and tropical, and fuller in body.
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.