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 herbal, green edge and how much it smells of, before you even taste it, while moving away from too floral or soapy and too light or thin.
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.
Sauvignon Blanc
curatedThe nearest widely available equivalent in aromatic style.
- Keeps the herbal, green edge.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- A little less light or thin.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Has some of the herbal, green edge, though less of it.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Pecorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the herbal, green edge.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- Substantially less light or thin.
Sancerre
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Keeps the herbal, green edge.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- A little less light or thin.
Pouilly-Fumé
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the herbal, green edge.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- A little less light or thin.
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the herbal, green edge.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- A little less light or thin.
Rueda Verdejo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the herbal, green edge.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- A little less light or thin.
Verdejo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
- Keeps the herbal, green edge.
- Keeps how much it smells of, before you even taste it.
- Substantially less floral or soapy.
- A little less light or thin.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Sauvignon Blanc
curatedThe nearest widely available equivalent in aromatic style.
Expect: More pungent and tropical, and fuller in body.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
Pecorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Sancerre
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
Pecorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Sauvignon Blanc
curatedThe nearest widely available equivalent in aromatic style.
Expect: More pungent and tropical, and fuller in body.
Sancerre
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.
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.
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 lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Sancerre
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, 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.
Spätlese
Spätlese scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and riper and less green.
Riesling
Riesling scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.
Vinho Verde
Vinho Verde 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.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
Pecorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and rounder and creamier in texture.
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.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
Pecorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Pouilly-Fumé
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Rueda Verdejo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
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.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
Mtsvane Kakhuri scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Sauvignon Blanc
curatedThe nearest widely available equivalent in aromatic style.
Expect: More pungent and tropical, and fuller in body.
Sancerre
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Pouilly-Fumé
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Roussanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and broader and softer.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Malagousia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Champagne
Champagne scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Sekt
Sekt scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and lighter.
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 lighter.
English Blanc de Noirs
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.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
Pecorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Sauvignon Blanc
curatedThe nearest widely available equivalent in aromatic style.
Expect: More pungent and tropical, and fuller in body.
Sancerre
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Alsace Pinot Gris
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and rounder and creamier in texture.
Petit Manseng
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Malvasia
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Coteaux du Layon
Coteaux du Layon scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, 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.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
Pecorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Retsina
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Austrian Riesling
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
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 lighter.
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.
Australian Chardonnay
Australian Chardonnay scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
South African Chenin Blanc
South African Chenin Blanc 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.
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.
Gewürztraminer
Gewürztraminer scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
Viognier
Viognier scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and riper and less green.
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.
Fiano
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more neutral and subtle.
Fiano di Avellino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more neutral and subtle.
Vermentino
Vermentino scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more neutral and subtle, and less floral.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Gewürztraminer
Gewürztraminer scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and riper and less green.
Condrieu
Condrieu scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and riper and less green.
Viognier
Viognier scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and riper and less green.
Torrontés
Torrontés scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be more floral, and riper and less green.
Similar but less floral
Some drinkers read floral aromatics as soapy or perfumed. This holds the structure and removes them.
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 lighter, and less floral.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
Pecorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
Pouilly-Fumé
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Pecorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Sancerre
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Grüner Veltliner
curatedA comparably light, high-acid, herbal white.
Expect: More peppery and savoury, and less floral.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more aromatic.
Petit Manseng
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less floral.
Muscat of Alexandria
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more aromatic.
Gewürztraminer
Gewürztraminer scores closest to Bacchus across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.
Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more floral.
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 riper and less green.
Welsh white wine
Both are made from bacchus.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
English Bacchus
Both are made from bacchus, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more 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.
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.
Sauvignon Blanc
curatedThe nearest widely available equivalent in aromatic style.
Expect: More pungent and tropical, and fuller in body.
Sancerre
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Pouilly-Fumé
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and more aromatic.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
Pecorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Rueda Verdejo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
Wachau Grüner Veltliner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and riper and less green.
Pecorino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be less floral, and lighter.
Chilean Sauvignon Blanc
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less floral.
Rueda Verdejo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
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.
Sancerre
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Pouilly-Fumé
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.
Sauvignon Blanc
curatedThe nearest widely available equivalent in aromatic style.
Expect: More pungent and tropical, and fuller in body.
Grüner Veltliner
curatedA comparably light, high-acid, herbal white.
Expect: More peppery and savoury, 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.